Managing up, down, and across is the ability to effectively manage relationships with your superiors, direct reports, and peers. It is a critical skill for mid-level managers and above, as it allows them to build strong relationships, get things done, and achieve their goals.
Managing Up
Managing up is the ability to build a positive relationship with your boss and get their support. This involves understanding their goals and priorities, communicating effectively, and delivering results.
Here are some tips for managing up:
- Understand your boss’s goals and priorities. What are they trying to achieve? What are their biggest challenges?
- Communicate effectively. Keep your boss updated on your progress, and be clear about what you need from them.
- Deliver results. Meet your deadlines and exceed expectations whenever possible.
- Be proactive. Don’t wait for your boss to come to you with problems. Be proactive in identifying and solving problems.
- Be positive and supportive. Be someone that your boss can rely on.
Managing Down
Managing down is the ability to lead and motivate your direct reports. This involves setting clear expectations, providing feedback, and developing their skills.
Here are some tips for managing down:
- Set clear expectations. Make sure your direct reports know what is expected of them.
- Provide feedback. Regularly give your direct reports feedback on their performance.
- Develop their skills. Provide opportunities for your direct reports to learn and grow.
- Be supportive. Be someone that your direct reports can come to for help and guidance.
- Be fair and consistent. Treat all of your direct reports fairly and consistently.
Managing Across
Managing across is the ability to collaborate with your peers. This involves building relationships, sharing information, and working together to achieve common goals.
Here are some tips for managing across:
- Build relationships. Get to know your peers and build relationships with them.
- Share information. Share information freely with your peers.
- Be willing to help. Be willing to help your peers when they need it.
- Be respectful. Be respectful of your peers and their ideas.
- Be willing to compromise. Be willing to compromise to reach common goals.
Managing up, down, and across is a complex skill that takes time and practice to develop. However, it is a critical skill for mid-level managers and above. By mastering these skills, you can build strong relationships, get things done, and achieve your goals.
In addition to the tips mentioned above, here are some other things to keep in mind when managing up, down, and across:
- Be honest and transparent.
- Be open to feedback.
- Be willing to learn and grow.
- Be positive and optimistic.
- Be patient and persistent.
Explore more in FREE 60-minute consultation
ICF-Certified Conscious Leadership Coach
You can optimize your impact by exploring your beliefs, behaviors, and language. By shining a light on unconscious patterns, you’ll establish a new way of being that brings self-awareness, emotional intelligence, confidence, and better relationships. These skills will enable you to:
- Embrace vulnerability
- Build trust and psychological safety with their teams
- Clearly communicate individual and team goals, and hold accountability
- Communicate with intention, authenticity, and compassion
- Give and receive feedback that enables learning, development, and deeper relationships
- Solve difficult decisions
- Face the future with optimism, enthusiasm, and energy
- Resolve past difficulties and hurt
When you coach with me, you’ll benefit from my 25 years of corporate experience, with expertise in coaching and organizational development. Leaders at Roche Pharmaceuticals, the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs, Danone, LinkedIn, and many more have benefited from our work together.
I am a graduate of Newfield Network’s Coaching for Personal and Professional Mastery program and am a Professional Certified Coach (PCC) through the International Coach Federation. A longtime meditation practitioner, I emphasize conscious, mindful leadership, and business practices that benefit all.
Recent Comments