Managing Upward - It's Not Sucking Up, it’s smart strategy

Let’s get one thing straight - managing upward isn’t brown-nosing. It’s not about flattery or people-pleasing. It’s about learning how to work with your Manager (not around them) so both of you win. Most people focus on managing down or sideways. But if you are not managing up, you are missing out on one of the most powerful levers for career growth, influence, and sanity in the workplace.

So, what is managing up?

It’s knowing your Manager's style, priorities, and pet peeves - and adjusting how you work so you are aligned, efficient, and trusted. It's how you get noticed for the right reasons, how you reduce friction, and how you make yourself indispensable without being insufferable. And no, it's not manipulation. It's called being strategic - and if you're ambitious, it's non-negotiable.

Here’s how to nail it

1. Know what your Manager actually cares about

Your brilliant ideas mean nothing if they don’t align with what your Manager is trying to achieve. Ask what success looks like for them and frame your work around their goals. If you help them win, you will win too.

2. Match their communication style

Are they a bullet-point-email person or a talk-it-out-over-coffee person? Mirror their style. Keep it tight, keep it clear, keep it how they like it. Miscommunication kills momentum so nail the delivery, not just the message.

3. Be a step ahead

Don’t wait to be told. Think ahead and anticipate their needs so that you can pre-empt issues. Volunteer for work that aligns with your strengths and the team's direction. Proactive beats reactive, every time.

4. Keep them in the loop

Don't make them guess where things are at, give regular, honest updates and flag roadblocks early. Share wins, progress, and pain points. This builds trust and makes sure you are not forgotten when the kudos gets handed out.

5. Don’t just bring problems, bring solutions

No Manager wants to be the clean-up crew. Show you have thought it through, offer options, ask for input only when you need it. It proves you are capable, confident, and not afraid to take ownership.

6. Be consistent

Hit deadlines, deliver what you promise, rinse and repeat. Reliability is currency in leadership relationships. And when the big opportunities come up? They will come to you.

7. Take feedback like a pro

No eyerolls or operating in defence mode, accept feedback as a tool, not a threat and use it to level up. It shows maturity and makes you easier to coach, lead, and invest in.

It's not about pleasing, it's about partnering

Managing up isn’t sucking up, it’s working smarter. It’s about building a high-functioning, respectful partnership where you both get what you need. You support your Manager’s success, and in return, they trust and advocate for yours.

Want to become the go-to person your Manager can’t function without? This is how.

Need help training your team to lead from every level—including managing up, across, and down? HRxP’s leadership playbook covers it all. 

Let's talk.