I’m Right On Top of That Rose!
“They manage up well.”
Who comes to mind when you read this phrase? Are you thinking of someone you admire? Or does it make your throat do a little clench? Yep, I am talking about that reflex.
Managing up—proactively cultivating a productive relationship with your boss or key stakeholders—is not just a skill reserved for those climbing the corporate ladder. For leaders, it is a critical practice that can drive alignment, foster trust, and optimize collaboration across an organization. According to research from Harvard Business Review, leaders who cultivate strong relationships with their higher-ups experience a 21% improvement in overall work performance and a 39% increase in satisfaction with their roles.
Enter Don't Tell Mom the Babysitter's Dead. Obviously, this is canon for all leadership development professionals. When Sue Ellen Crandell boldly proclaims, "I'm right on top of that, Rose!" she is the embodiment of managing up with confidence and authenticity. She is using this opportunity to stretch, gain new skills, and even be exposed to topics she otherwise would not be. And Rose? She is freed up to focus on more high-value work (I think some of that work involves a problematic relationship with her love interest/boss, but that’s a topic for a different article). When done well, managing up is amazingly effective.
But what about when done with less finesse? When it is not paired with authenticity? Or the person only manages up versus being supportive in 360 degrees? And it all feels transactional?
True leadership stems from integrity and authenticity. Authentic managing up is about recognizing the shared goals of the organization and actively contributing to them while bringing others along with you.
Here are three ways leaders can manage up with authenticity:
Transparent Communication: Regularly update your boss or stakeholders- and you should consider your peers and direct reports in the stakeholder category- on progress, challenges, and successes. By keeping them informed, you build trust and create opportunities for collaboration.
Empathy and Alignment: Understand the priorities and pressures your superiors face. You will have to manage the polarity of aligning your approach to support their objectives while ensuring your team’s needs are met.
Be Solutions-Oriented: Approach problems with solutions in mind. Anticipate needs and offer actionable recommendations that demonstrate your commitment to shared success for EVERYONE. You want to avoid phrases such as “this is important to INSERT NAME OF BIGSHOT PERSON HERE” and instead focus on the ultimate shared goals.
In Don’t Tell Mom the Babysitter’s Dead we are not following the journey of a yes-person in training— we see someone taking initiative with confidence and caring for others. Leaders who master the art of managing up know that it is not just about answering to the "Roses" in their lives but about building authentic relationships that elevate everyone involved.
Are you ready to be “right on top of that, Rose”?
