Setting the record straight on managing up

It’s time to call a spade, a spade. When we talk about "managing up," it often boils down to one thing: how can I impress my boss and keep them happy?

We hustle, hoping it'll pay off with a promotion, a raise, or maybe a shot at a new role.

Managing up has long been about strategically managing actions and communication to stay in the boss's good books. It's about those weekly updates, the project status chats, and always bringing solutions, not just problems.

Sure, communication and a solid relationship with your manager—and their manager is key. But let's face it, we get so caught up in the tactics of maintaining those relationships that we miss out on something more potent.

But what if there's a smarter approach?

By weaving coaching skills into your managing-up toolkit, you can start to transform your dynamic with your manager. Instead of just playing the perception game, you create open dialogue, build trust, and tackle issues together.

With coaching tools like active listening, powerful questioning, and empathy, you'll do just that. You'll turn managing up from a monologue into a dialogue—fueling real growth and success.

So, why settle for the norm when you can unleash your full potential, impress your stakeholders, and create real positive change in your organisation?

Now that we’ve covered the importance of coaching skills to redefine how you ‘manage up’, you may be wondering how to develop them. That’s where my new 2 hour coaching masterclass Essential Coaching Skills for Product Leaders comes into play. You can find out more about the course here.