Managing up

Notes for a discussion at Crossing the Ridges

18 November 2010

Bronwyn Simondson

The essentials

> Trust> Responsibility> Relationship building> Capacity to reflect and learn

What is it?

> Influencing> For the benefit of the organisation> Positive activity: builds relationship with supervisor

Why do it?

> Because we all have a responsibility for outcomes> Good leadership and management are team based> No one has all the answers: good advice, properly presented,

makes the world go round

What works?

> Trust, good relationships, positive behaviour> Competence> Finished advice: considered, well-informed, relevant> Realistic attitude: you win some, you lose some

What doesn’t?

> Inappropriate tone, style> Bad timing> Negativity, lack of acknowledgement of others’ views,

contributions> Lack of diligence in preparing the advice> Self-interest> Lack of political awareness

The how to guide

> Know your job and where you fit> Know your team objectives> Build positive relationships> Focus on the organisation, not yourself> Stick to your patch: operate within your sphere of responsibility> Manage your negativity> Develop political awareness:adapt tone and style to audience> Be an active learner: read, watch, listen, reflect,learn to take

constructive feedback> Be your own harshest critic