Managing Up

Scope

Covers

• Building a proactive partnership with your manager (vs waiting to be managed)
• Setting a clear upward communication system (async updates, 1:1 structure, decision memos)
• Leveraging leaders to remove blockers and accelerate decisions (clear asks + escalation triggers)
• Communicating trade-offs and context so leadership can make good calls
• Creating a “seat at the table” path: showing business-level perspective before you’re invited
• Setting boundaries when leadership pace/expectations are misaligned (without being adversarial)

When to use

• “Help me manage up with my boss—set a cadence and a weekly update template.”
• “My exec stakeholders feel out of touch—help me communicate context and trade-offs better.”
• “I need a clean escalation plan and how to ask my leader for help without sounding needy.”
• “I want more influence / a seat at the table—create a plan and artifacts.”

When NOT to use