In many environments where there is a hierarchy, there is a need to develop and master managing up. Thus, the skill creates a healthy and productive learning environment.
Managing up is the practice of addressing your roles and responsibilities with a person in a supervisory role to you. It is an essential skill to learn, hone, and practice.
The skill requires tact, self-belief, and a massive dose of respect. It is vital to appreciate that while managing up should be encouraged, it is a practice that will develop over time as the employee-supervisor relationship develops.
As the employee, one should be methodical in the process and appreciate that this takes time. The boundaries of the relationship always need to be factored into the rules of engagement.
As the boss, appreciate that an employee questioning decisions is healthy and can develop an open culture to foster learning.
Like managing down, there is a skill, and it should be adapted based on the dynamics of the relationship and the personalities of the individuals. If we embrace it as part of communication dynamics, we will likely see it prosper in time.
