1–1 mpo699 managing people in organization topic 05 – managing up
TRANSCRIPT
From the book "Working with You Is Killing Me" by Katherine Crowley & Kathi Elster2
Introduction Introduction Managers are not perfect!
Unskilled managers cause sleepless nights, anxiety attacks, depression, headaches, ulcers, fights with coworkers, absenteeism, overworking, and/or substance abuse
There are two kinds of management in business: managing down & managing up
From the book "Working with You Is Killing Me" by Katherine Crowley & Kathi Elster3
What is the difference?What is the difference?
Managing down taking charge of your staff
Managing up managing the people in positions of authority over you, especially your boss
The less adept your boss is at Managing Down, the more important Managing Up becomes.
From the book "Working with You Is Killing Me" by Katherine Crowley & Kathi Elster4
Why Are There So Many Poor Why Are There So Many Poor Managers? Managers? Promoted based on…Promoted based on…
Technical expertise
Seniority
Political Reasons
From the book "Working with You Is Killing Me" by Katherine Crowley & Kathi Elster5
To Manage Up Effectively:To Manage Up Effectively:
You must accept that your boss has
limitations as a manager
You must be willing to take responsibility
for improving the
relationship
From the book "Working with You Is Killing Me" by Katherine Crowley & Kathi Elster6
Accepting That Your Boss Has Accepting That Your Boss Has LimitationsLimitations
My boss should…– be more organized– know how to delegate– spell out what is expected of me– give me some time and attention– appreciate me more– give me positive feedback
From the book "Working with You Is Killing Me" by Katherine Crowley & Kathi Elster7
Two Choices:Two Choices:
Complain
OR
Acknowledge & Manage Up
From the book "Working with You Is Killing Me" by Katherine Crowley & Kathi Elster8
The Five Pivotal Practices of The Five Pivotal Practices of Managing UpManaging Up
1. Train your boss to meet with you regularly
2. Come to every meeting with a detailed agenda
3. Keep a pulse on your boss’s changing priorities
4. Anticipate problems and offer solutions
5. Always be prepared to give a status report on your projects
From the book "Working with You Is Killing Me" by Katherine Crowley & Kathi Elster9
Pivotal Practice #1: Train your Pivotal Practice #1: Train your boss to meet with you regularlyboss to meet with you regularly
A time convenient to her/his scheduleShort in durationNot “on the fly”At regular intervalsBrief, organized & on pointBe persistent
From the book "Working with You Is Killing Me" by Katherine Crowley & Kathi Elster10
Pivotal Practice #2: Come to every Pivotal Practice #2: Come to every meeting with a detailed agendameeting with a detailed agendaActive, not passive, approachPrioritize problems & questionsList everything you need to discussBring any needed documentationTake notes on your agenda & file it for
future reference
From the book "Working with You Is Killing Me" by Katherine Crowley & Kathi Elster11
Pivotal Practice #3: Keep a pulse Pivotal Practice #3: Keep a pulse on your boss’s changing prioritieson your boss’s changing priorities
What’s your priority today? What do you need today? What can I do for you? What else needs to get done? What problem do you need me to take care of? How can I help you?
From the book "Working with You Is Killing Me" by Katherine Crowley & Kathi Elster12
Pivotal Practice #4: Anticipate Pivotal Practice #4: Anticipate problems and offer solutionsproblems and offer solutions
Confirm appointments Clarify logistics Anticipate the reliability of equipment Replenish supplies before they run out Normalize predictable problems
GOOD
NOT SO
GOOD !
From the book "Working with You Is Killing Me" by Katherine Crowley & Kathi Elster13
Pivotal Practice #5: Always be Pivotal Practice #5: Always be prepared to give status reports on prepared to give status reports on your projects at your projects at anyany time time
What you are currently working onWhere you are in terms of accomplishing
certain tasksHow far you’ve progressed on
any long-range projects
From the book "Working with You Is Killing Me" by Katherine Crowley & Kathi Elster14
The High Five of Managing UpThe High Five of Managing Up
1. Be on time or early for the start of your day
2. Be a gatekeeper and keep away unwanted time-eaters
3. Create systems so that others can find things when you’re not around
4. Keep confidential information where it belongs
5. Underpromise and overdeliver
From the book "Working with You Is Killing Me" by Katherine Crowley & Kathi Elster15
High Five #1: Be on time or early High Five #1: Be on time or early for the start of your dayfor the start of your day
Enhance your reputation as a dependable member of any teamEnhance your reputation as a dependable member of any team
Time to prioritize & plan :10 can make a big difference Focus + Reliability + Time Management =
capable of handling greater responsibility Punctuality – professionalism, respect, reliability,
and eagerness Chronic lateness – the exact opposite Time cushions
From the book "Working with You Is Killing Me" by Katherine Crowley & Kathi Elster16
High Five #2: Be a gatekeeper High Five #2: Be a gatekeeper & keep time-eaters away & keep time-eaters away
from your bossfrom your bossGain points for handling difficult people and difficult situationsGain points for handling difficult people and difficult situations
Divert them to another appropriate department
Take the hit yourself & handle independently or relay the message
View your role as the “office diplomat”
From the book "Working with You Is Killing Me" by Katherine Crowley & Kathi Elster17
High Five #3: Create systems so that your boss High Five #3: Create systems so that your boss can find things if you’re not aroundcan find things if you’re not aroundBe seen as someone who’s organized and able to empower othersBe seen as someone who’s organized and able to empower others
Prevents frustration
Avoids duplications of work
Saves the time of rifling through paper and/or computer files
Gives your boss the answer if they need to provide one while you are unavailable
From the book "Working with You Is Killing Me" by Katherine Crowley & Kathi Elster18
High Five #4: Keep confidential information High Five #4: Keep confidential information where it belongswhere it belongs
Be known as trustworthy and discreteBe known as trustworthy and discrete
What you see and hear in your boss’s office stays there
Build a reputation as someone capable of holding sensitive information
Earn the trust and confidence of your boss
Unless it is illegal, immoral, or unethical, be a vault!
From the book "Working with You Is Killing Me" by Katherine Crowley & Kathi Elster19
High Five #5: Underpromise and overdeliverHigh Five #5: Underpromise and overdeliverBe considered an outstanding addition to any teamBe considered an outstanding addition to any team
Why? Most people do the opposite
Unexpected delays & obstacles inevitably interfere with goal accomplishment
Others may be depending on youRule of Thumb: Projected hours X 2
From the book "Working with You Is Killing Me" by Katherine Crowley & Kathi Elster20
SummarySummary
DO remember that managers are not perfect
DON’T just complain – manage up!DO set meetings & agendasDON’T lose track of your boss’s prioritiesDO anticipate problems & offer solutionsDON’T forget the high five for excellence