Building Trust and Alignment with Your Manager
Let’s talk about the importance of “managing up” and how we can effectively navigate this process without feeling overwhelmed. What does “managing up” mean, exactly? It’s quite simple: managing up is about understanding your manager’s (or skip-level manager’s) expectations, goals, and priorities, and adjusting your approach to align with them. It isn’t about being a pushover, but rather about being thoughtful in how you communicate and interact with them.
Why is this important? For starters, it can help you avoid misunderstandings and conflicts. If you aren’t on the same page as your manager, the relationship can quickly deteriorate. However, by effectively managing up, you can build trust and anticipate potential problems to ensure smooth operations.
So, how can you manage up effectively? Here are a few tips that have served me well:
Get to know your manager
It may seem obvious, but it’s worth repeating: your manager is human. Understand their preferred communication style (e.g., Slack, email, time of day, etc.) and be mindful of their pet peeves. Understanding them as an individual can help you tailor your approach to better meet their needs.
Communicate regularly
Communication is crucial to any successful relationship, and your relationship with your manager is no exception. Regular check-ins are essential (don’t let a month pass without a 1:1) to discuss progress, concerns, and any other relevant topics. Regular communication can help you both stay aligned and avoid any unwelcome surprises.
Be proactive, not reactive
Anticipate issues before they become significant blockers. If you know your manager has concerns about a particular aspect of a project or team, address those concerns before they escalate. Being proactive can demonstrate your initiative and build trust.
Be a problem solver
Don’t just come with problems; come with proposed solutions. For example, if you notice an issue with a project, don’t just bring it to your manager’s attention — suggest potential ways you’re planning to resolve the situation. This can demonstrate your critical thinking skills and further build trust.
Stay organized
Keep track of important deadlines (e.g., performance reviews), meetings, and other events. Good organization can help you stay on top of your work and avoid any late-night rescue calls with your manager.
From manager to partner
Start seeing your manager as a partner, and bank on them for their wealth of experience and skills. Partner with them in the following areas and they will appreciate it:
- Mentorship: This can accelerate your growth, as your manager likely possesses a wealth of relevant experiences, insights, and skills. Seeking their advice and guidance can foster a strong, cooperative relationship.
- Learning from Their Leadership Style: Understanding your manager’s leadership and decision-making style (adopt some of their frameworks if possible) can help you align your approaches and expectations better, which can contribute significantly to building a solid partnership.
- Involve Them in Strategic Discussions: If you’re working on a project or initiative, involve them in strategic decisions. This can help you tap into their expertise and get valuable guidance.
Have a sense of humor
Management can be stressful, but it doesn’t have to be a burden. Injecting humor into your interactions with your manager can help build rapport and create a more relaxed working environment.
Hopefully, the above tips help you build a strong working relationship with your manager. And if all else fails, just remember to breathe and have a good laugh — it’ll all work out in the end 🧘🏽.
The learning continues in…
- Chapter 1 — How Engineering Managers can understand their team better
- Chapter 2 — The Power of Iterative Roadmap Planning in Tech Teams
- Chapter 3 — Building Trust and Alignment with Your Manager
If you have any thoughts or experiences to add, let me know! Respond to this post or let me know on LinkedIn. I’m happy to talk about anything software engineering related.
