Tough boss? Melody Wilding wants you to manage up

Summary

The video discusses effective strategies for managing up in the workplace, focusing on communication, boundaries, and self-awareness. Key points include understanding and addressing micromanagement, setting boundaries while being a team player, and recognizing the importance of clear communication. The conversation emphasizes the need to manage one's own work preferences, communicate clearly with managers, and propose solutions to improve collaboration. It also highlights that managing up is a learnable skill and stresses the value of self-awareness in fostering better workplace relationships.

Takeaways

• 😀 Managing up is a learnable skillset, and with practice, you can improve at it.
• 😀 Effective communication styles are crucial for managing up successfully, and ongoing improvement is essential.
• 😀 Understanding your own boundaries is key to managing both yourself and your relationship with your manager.
• 😀 When addressing micromanagement, focus on observable behaviors and propose a path forward for solutions.
• 😀 It’s important to establish shared goals with your manager to make the conversation less defensive and more productive.
• 😀 Pushing back at work requires thoughtful communication, asking questions first before giving an immediate response.
• 😀 When you push back, it’s essential to understand why a request is being made, as it could lead to opportunities or better task alignment.
• 😀 Clarity in your work preferences, such as how you like to communicate and when you're most productive, makes managing boundaries easier.
• 😀 Managing up involves not just understanding your manager’s style but also being clear about your own work preferences and needs.
• 😀 Maintaining a professional mindset, separating personal worth from business value, helps you navigate conflicts at work with more grace and self-assurance.
• 😀 Your relationship with your manager should be seen as a partnership, and clear communication is the foundation of that partnership.

Q & A

What is 'managing up' and why is it important?

'Managing up' refers to the process of managing your relationship with your boss or higher-ups in a way that helps you succeed and fosters positive communication. It's important because it ensures you're aligned with your manager's expectations, helps you gain valuable support, and enhances overall productivity and workplace dynamics.

What should be included in the feedback when addressing micromanagement?

When addressing micromanagement, feedback should focus on observable behaviors (e.g., being asked to be CC'd on administrative emails), and then suggest a solution. For example, proposing a plan that defines the tasks you can handle independently and those requiring oversight can move the conversation towards collaboration and problem-solving.

Why is it crucial to have a shared goal during feedback conversations with your boss?

Having a shared goal in feedback conversations helps depersonalize the discussion, making it less about you versus your manager and more about solving a problem together. This approach makes the conversation less defensive and more solution-focused, fostering a cooperative atmosphere.

What role do questions play when setting boundaries at work?

Asking questions before saying 'no' at work allows you to understand the request better and gives you the chance to find alternative solutions. By asking thoughtful questions, you may uncover opportunities or learn more about why the request is being made, which can help you frame a more informed response.

How does understanding your own boundaries help in managing up?

Understanding your own boundaries is key to effectively managing up because it helps you communicate your needs clearly. When you know your limits and preferences (e.g., work hours, types of tasks), it becomes easier to express these boundaries to your manager without triggering negative emotions, ensuring mutual respect and understanding.

What is the importance of the 'Me Manual' exercise in managing up?

The 'Me Manual' exercise helps you gain clarity about your work preferences, boundaries, and learning styles. This self-awareness allows you to understand why certain behaviors may trigger frustration and helps you articulate your needs in a non-emotional, strategic manner, ultimately improving your communication with your manager.

How can managing your insecurities contribute to successful managing up?

Managing your insecurities allows you to approach workplace challenges with confidence, knowing your value and separating personal worth from business value. This emotional maturity ensures that you're not taking work-related feedback personally, allowing for clearer communication and better management of up.

What role does effective communication play in managing up?

Effective communication is crucial in managing up because it helps you express your needs, preferences, and concerns in a clear and constructive manner. Understanding both your own and your manager’s communication styles allows you to address issues calmly and strategically, improving the quality of your interactions.

What are the main takeaways from the conversation about managing up?

The main takeaways are: 1) Managing up is a learnable skill that can be developed with practice, 2) Effective communication styles are essential for success in managing up, and 3) Knowing yourself—your boundaries and communication style—is key to addressing conflicts and improving your relationship with your manager.

How can managing up benefit a manager-employee relationship?

Managing up benefits the relationship by fostering clearer communication, ensuring alignment on goals, and creating a productive work environment. It allows both parties to work as partners toward shared objectives, leading to greater trust and more efficient outcomes.