Effective Strategies for Managing Up and Enhancing Boss Relationship

You don't have to like and admire your boss, nor do you have to hate him. You do have to manage him, however, so that he becomes your resource for achievement, accomplishment, and personal success as well.

- PETER F DRUCKER

In today's work world, nobody makes it completely on their own. Managing up is just as important as managing down. But many people don't realize this. Instead, they waste time complaining about the boss and assume that they are powerless to change and improve the relationship. If that sounds like you, consider this:

You own 50% of your relationship with your boss and are 100% in control of your own behavior. The way you behave towards your boss teaches him how to treat you.

1. Inventory strengths and weaknesses.
2. Build on strengths.
3. Decide how you want to change your boss's behavior.
4. Reward your boss for any signs of positive change.

Voice public and private support for his goals.

Simplify his work by keeping him organized.

Keep alert for ideas that will save time or money or improve the workplace and pass them along.

Tactfully volunteer to help him with tasks for which your abilities are stronger.

Let him and others know that you feel proud and fortunate to have the opportunity to work with him.

You can't give your boss a promotion, a bonus, or a piece of the business, but you can give him a lot. How you go about doing it will play a large role in your and his success.

You may not always get the behavior you want. When that happens, just keep cool and ignore it. Be ready with an assortment of ways to reward the boss when you get good behavior.

Hope it will work out for all of us.

Cheers,

Archna

Hi Swapna,

They talk about managing us, why can't we manage them. Let's try it out. Peter F. Drucker also said the statement: "Your boss is like your child, you have to nurture him/her even if they do something you don't like. Like your child, you have to bear with them."

Cheers,
Archna

Thanks, Archana. It's very useful, but all these thoughts do not come to mind when he/she is screaming. Understanding, mapping, or forecasting your boss's behavior can be impossible. So, what do we do?

Hi Archna,

It's a really different article, and if we follow a very practical approach. As you have said, one should be cool when the boss says something. If you belong to the HR field, then you can very well imagine how difficult it is for HR to convince the boss. When you move to the boss for incentives, then maybe your boss will react strongly without any rhyme or reason. How will you keep yourself cool in this situation?

Hi Archana,

It is very nice information. Keep posting and forward such informative articles to my email id sureshbabuhr@yahoo.co.in. Thanks in advance.

With great wishes,
Suresh
sureshbabuhr@yahoo.co.in
HR Executive