Managing Up

If “managing up” makes you uncomfortable, you are not alone. It is often misunderstood as influence or even manipulation.

Managing up means building a strong working relationship with your manager so priorities and expectations are clear.

Managing up helps your manager see your work, your value, and where you may need support.

The clarity provided in these conversation matter even more in remote or matrixed environments, where alignment does not happen automatically.

It also helps you stay proactive: communicate in the way your manager prefers, anticipate needs, and share updates early.

Ask yourself: Am I clear on my department’s goals and my manager’s top priorities?

• Ask which goals matter most this quarter and how your work supports them.

• Share progress, wins, and risks

• Ask for clarity in areas where you need alignment.

Managing up creates better conversations, clearer expectations, and stronger partnership.

Before your next meeting bring one update, one question, and one area on which to align.