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Managing up. We all need to do it, but we don't want to seem like we’re groveling or fawning. You can end up being known for the brand trait “sycophant” and being disliked by all your peers.
The key to managing up successfully is to do it with integrity and authenticity. Any effective leader can see the difference between a suck-up and a superstar, and the people around you can too. Here’s how to genuinely support your boss:
Do your research. Learn as much about your boss as you can. Google her. Pay attention. Get curious about the things she has in her office. Know her pet peeves, passions and positions on topics. Identify what she loves to do and what she dislikes. The more you really get to know your boss, the more able you’ll be to support them in a meaningful way.
Be indispensable. Make yourself the person who is absolutely mission critical. Without you, there should be a big hole to fill. What sits at the intersection of this Venn diagram? A special type of action: Yours boss really needs and values it. You are the best on your team at doing it. And, best of all, you enjoy it because it’s a natural aspect of your personal brand. If your boss loves delivering presentations but really dislikes creating the slides—and you're a PowerPoint or Keynote whiz—offer to create captivating presentations for him.
Be famous in the right circles. You want your name to come up (in a good way) when your boss is working with others even when you aren’t there. By delivering value consistently and supporting the right people, you can tout your value virtually without having to pat yourself on the back.
Be independent but not invisible. Your boss is busy. And stressed. According to Gallup, the stress level of managers has been steadily increasing since the beginning of the pandemic. You don't want to be the needy member of the team who has to check in with the boss on everything you do. Instead, demonstrate the value you deliver in a highly visible way while only putting demands on your manager when you really must.
Give instead of asking. Managers get lots of asks. “I would like to be promoted.” “Can you help me solve this problem?” “What do you think we should do about this?” When you become the solutions guru, you stand out and add some chill. If you have a problem and want your boss’s OK, present the problem along with potential solutions and your recommendation.
Anticipate what’s coming up. Think about what’s next on your team calendar and act on it. “The holidays will be upon us shortly. I have been thinking about some things we can do for the team this year.” “LMK if you’d like to discuss options for the pitch session that’s coming down the pike. I’d love to take the lead.”
Appoint yourself president of your boss’ fan club. Become the team ambassador and talk about all the honestly great things your boss and the team are doing. Share your organization’s major wins. Commend your boss’s inclusive leadership style. Express gratitude to senior leadership when you receive public praise. When you become the spokesperson for the boss and the team, you demonstrate loyalty and help your boss build her brand in the company.
Acknowledge team members. Maintaining high levels of team morale is one of your manager’s goals. And that takes effort. Reduce the load by acknowledging others and sharing the spotlight with them, letting them shine alongside you for their contributions to the team’s mission. This will help keep the culture of your team positive, and it will be good for your personal brand too.
William Arruda is a keynote speaker, co-founder of CareerBlast.TV and co-creator of the Personal Brand Power Audit - a complimentary quiz that helps you measure the strength of personal brand.
