I used to believe that managing up was all about managing your boss(es)—which is an important skill, especially when dealing with an emotionally immature boss, who constantly needs validation or never shares any credit.

However, I have learnt that smart managing up is also about managing your stakeholders, about moving outside of your work silo, and about cooperating with people outside your department, or even in different organizations. It's a deliberate effort to increase cooperation and collaboration with those who have influence over your career, even when you don't particularly like how they operate.

In this episode, Dr. Sean O'Fergusson is teaching us that managing up is not "sucking up."

It’s about understanding the needs of all your stakeholders, their preferences, priorities, and goals. It's about looking ahead in the future and preparing for their needs; it’s about adapting to work in new environments and creating the best possible outcome for ourselves, our leaders, and our organizations.

Make sure to download the book:
“The Job Is Easy, People Are Not! 10 SMART Skills to become better people!
by Loredana Padurean