Take your career to the next level - learn how to manage up.
At some point or another, we’ve all wished our manager would change. However, instead of expecting the boss to alter their management style, we must master the art of managing up. Learning – and mirroring – your boss’s style is an effective strategy for dealing with a manager whose approach to work differs from your own. Often, managers who are skilled at training and motivating their staff tend to ignore opportunities to develop strong relationships with their own bosses. This mistake can mean the difference between career advancement and career suicide. Fortunately, there are simple, practical things you can do today to improve your relationship with your boss and begin managing your career in a whole new way – up!

Mirror your manager's style.
Keep in mind that the only person whose behavior you truly have control over is you. That’s why it’s critical for you to take the initiative here. Begin by learning everything you can about your boss’s management style. Observe your boss. Identify her priorities. How does she prefer to receive information? Is she an “idea” person or a “results” person? How important is the bottom-line to your manager? Answering these questions is the first step towards successfully managing up. Incorporating what you’ve learned into your work style and how you interact with your boss will help you take your career to the next level.

You can even take “mirroring” one step further by taking a cue from your manager when dressing for work. By adapting to the style preferred by your manager – business casual or formal – you are showing that you have a similar attitude and approach to your job.

Micromanage your micromanager.
Once you’ve identified your boss’s preferences, put your information to good use. Remember that communicating on your manager’s level is vital. If your boss is one of those people who give new meaning to the term “being kept in the loop,” do them – and yourself – a huge favor: keep them in the loop. Determine which projects your manager considers to be key, then provide frequent updates on the status of those projects. Also, be sure to present information in the manner your boss likes to hear it.

Likewise, if your manager prefers that you take the initiative on projects and act more independently, do so accordingly. Be sure to check in with her at appropriate intervals, and run any questions, concerns or major decisions past her. Also, keep everything in writing so you have a record of who said what and when, in case questions arise later. This will not only protect you, it will demonstrate to your boss that you are thorough and pay attention to the details.

Make yourself invaluable.
Find your niche and develop it until you are an expert in that particular area. But don’t let that stop you from growing your talents in other areas at the same time. Remember, the broader your range of expertise, the more valuable you are to the team – and to your manager. So, be sure to volunteer for projects – especially the less-popular assignments. And, whenever you can, assist your manager with her workload. In essence, anything you can do to make your boss shine will work in your favor. By demonstrating that you’re a true member of the team who consistently works in support of the company’s goals, you boost your own visibility and make yourself indispensable.

Talk the talk, then walk the walk.
Keeping in step with your manager is a crucial element in successfully managing up, so solicit feedback often. People enjoy being asked to share their opinion, and the odds are good that your manager is no different, so be strategic and ask for her take on your management style. Remember though, that any tips your manager provides must then be incorporated into your work style. Scheduling feedback meetings with your boss on a regular basis helps keep her in the loop regarding your professional development. Likewise, effectively applying any information you’ve gleaned from your manager during the meeting shows that her words have an impact.

Managing up = success.
Above all, stay positive, be dependable and do your best. Managing up is most effective when your quality of work is stellar. While you can’t always expect your work ethic and results to speak for themselves, you can present your skills in a manner that best communicates to your boss that you are an integral member of the team who consistently helps meet or exceed goals. Managing up is the best way to do this.

Want some more simple, yet effective tips for succeeding in today’s working world? Check out Ajilon Office’s FREE Success Tips brochure. It’s filled with valuable advice on how you can achieve your goals and take your career to the next level.

Contact us today to speak with a staffing professional (1.866 GO AJILON or ajilonoffice.com) – they’re experts on your local job market and hiring trends, and they have a strong pulse on industry issues that are sure to be front and center in the coming months. Ask us how to get your FREE copy of our Success Tips booklet and find out what else we can do to help you move up in the world.®

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