Course information

Course Title: The Art of Managing Up Course Overview: Your manager plays a critical role in your work life by communicating organizational goals, removing roadblocks, and advocating for your needs. But how can you help your manager help you?. This course explores the interdependent nature of the manager-employee relationship and teaches you the strategy of "managing up" to build a more effective, collaborative, and mutually beneficial relationship with your boss. Managing up is not about flattery, manipulation, or just telling your boss what they want to hear. Rather, it is about doing your best work, anticipating team needs, and consciously working with your boss to achieve the best possible results for you, your manager, and your organization. What You Will Learn: By taking this course, you will learn how to increase your value at work by anticipating needs, offering solutions, and communicating proactively—essential behaviors for earning a promotion or a raise. You will discover how to be a dependable teammate and take charge of driving your own career development. Key Modules and Topics Covered: Getting to Know Work Styles: Learn to observe and adapt to your manager's work and communication preferences—such as their preferred channels, frequency of updates, and feedback style—while also clearly communicating your own needs to find an effective middle ground. Effective and Proactive Communication: Discover how to address issues early, share your unique perspectives and concerns respectfully, and align project and behavioral expectations by asking your manager thoughtful questions. Taking Ownership: Understand how to fulfill your job commitments and take an active role in resolving issues. You will learn to bring thoroughly researched solutions to your manager rather than showing up empty-handed with problems, and take full responsibility for correcting mistakes. Bridging the Gaps: Identify your unique skills and take the initiative to fill in skill gaps for your team. Learn how to step up to share your knowledge or take tasks off your manager's plate without being asked. Contributing to a Positive Team Culture: Explore high-value behaviors that promote healthy collaboration, such as communicating empathetically and acknowledging coworkers' contributions. Learn to minimize your "cultural cost" by avoiding gossip, drama, and dismissive attitudes. Recognizing Your Manager’s Humanity: Understand that managers are human beings who experience stress, make mistakes, and have personal lives. Learn how to better support them by managing your negative assumptions, expressing sincere appreciation for their work, and respecting their busy schedules.