The Art of Managing Up

Recently in my managing career, I read an article by Wayne Turk titled "The Art of Managing Up." I don't remember where I found this article, or if someone recommended it to me. The article can be found here. It proved to be a perception changing article. 

First, if you work for a company, I would definitely read this article. If you work for yourself, you still have customers/clients that you need to 'manage up.'

It was an important article because it clarified to me several key points. 

• I was struggling too hard to change my boss to my way of doing things. That was clearly the wrong approach. It reminds me of Jim Croce's lyrics to "You Don't Mess Around With Jim:"

"You don't tug on Superman's cape 

You don't spit into the wind 

You don't pull the mask off that old Lone Ranger 

And you don't mess around with Jim"

• Managing up is really about stretching yourself - see article. What can you do to make the situation better (whether that is the project, the corporate culture, or the company itself)? I understood the need to stretch, but didn't realize my participation in dysfunctional company interactions was limiting my ability to manage up effectively.

• Communication - I cannot stress this too much. I had to learn my boss's communication style. Every manager, including me, has a different style. 

• See how they communicate with you, it usually is a good indicator of how they want communication to happen. 
• For some managers, ask - they might tell you, but observation of the manager's communication style will be more illustrative. When, how often, form (written/verbal) are all aspects.
• Some managers want discussion, some want just the 'short and sweet' discussion.

• Lastly - provide solutions to the problems you bring to your boss. Be a solver, not a whiner. Does your solution need to be complete (helpful, but not required). The solution does need to be thoughtful, cogent, and provide a path to success. 

Managing up is not manipulative, but a method to create a stronger 'bond' with your boss and create an better work environment

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David Haynes, NCARB, PMP, LEED AP
Ideate Director of Consulting

David is a Registered Architect, Project Management Certified Professional, who previously had his own architectural practice and was President of a commercial design-build construction company for 15 years. A graduate of University of Arizona, he has worked as an Architect, contractor, developer and as a national construction manager for a national retailer. David currently provides business process analysis, virtualization and change management solutions for AEC clients across the United States involved in the design and building industry. Follow David on Twitter: @dhaynestech 

Get it. Know it. Use it.

This post was originally published on David’s blog Connecting the [Data]… 

All-In Strategies

I have received many nice comments about my blog post about being all-in - Are You All-In?.

What is interesting is that I have also heard that it is impossible to be all-in these days. Some of the obstacles stated are:

1. Frustration - how do I work with people at my company that are not all-in? 
2. How do I get others to be all-in?
3. How can I get others to notice that I am now all-in?

FRUSTRATION  
Work is full of frustration. Lack of time, competing priorities, office politics, etc. Some team members get so frustrated, they just give up. We all feel frustrated at times. It may seem that some of your work colleagues do less, talk more, and don't seem to be as invested in success as they should be. What are some strategies to overcome your frustration?

• Realize that there are some people who will never be all-in. Don't invest your time in them. They are 'energy suckers'. 
• Consistency - that is the key. Be consistent in actions and interactions. You are either all-in or not - there is no 50% all-in.

GETTING OTHERS ALL-IN 

Getting other to go 'all-in' is not possible with words, or emails, or meetings. Your team members must decide for themselves to be all-in. Show them through your actions, your enthusiasm, and your conviction. That example, through your actions, is the only way others will see the benefit of being all-in.

HOW TO GET NOTICED

You want management to know you have upped your game. Here's what managers want to see:

• Actions - not Words
• Interaction/Communication - not 'Yes Man'
• Enthusiasm - not Passive/Aggressive
• Proactive - not Reactive
• Value Add - not Status Quo
• Work Within System - not going Rogue
• Think about how Company makes profit - not your Paycheck.

With the new year, start a new dedication to being all-in.  Stay the course, see the prize, and feel the satisfaction of a career well done.

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David Haynes, NCARB, PMP, LEED AP
Ideate Director of Consulting

David is a Registered Architect, Project Management Certified Professional, who previously had his own architectural practice and was President of a commercial design-build construction company for 15 years. A graduate of University of Arizona, he has worked as an Architect, contractor, developer and as a national construction manager for a national retailer. David currently provides business process analysis, virtualization and change management solutions for AEC clients across the United States involved in the design and building industry. Follow David on Twitter: @dhaynestech 

Get it. Know it. Use it.

This post was originally published on David’s blog Connecting the [Data]…