There are many skills that can help you advance in your education and career. One of the more critical skills is “managing up.” This process is key to advancing in your career and something you can begin to practice as a teenager in high school. The idea of managing up is simple: in an emotionally intelligent manner, communicate with those who control your opportunities to move forward by developing a mutually respectful relationship built on transparency, honesty, and strong communication. So who do you do this with and how? You manage up with teachers, bosses, and anyone who you are “doing something” for that is of educational or professional value. How do you do it? Simple:
- Understand who you are (self-awareness) and manage your emotions (self-management),
- Recognize how the person you are engaging feels and what their expectations of you are (social awareness), and
- Manage the relationship by being honest, transparent (don’t hold back but be professional in doing so), and through very strong communication (relationship management).
Number three requires some more information. First, be honest with yourself and with the person you are managing up. This means, own your mistakes, express you uncertainty, ask for clarity if you are unsure, and carefully express your frustration (again owning your mistakes). This is critical because people like to work with people they trust. By being honest, you build trust. When you build trust, you build respect which is a critical component of any relationship. Second, everyone has good days and bad days, engrained expectations, and biases. Before you approach anyone you are going to manage up, first ask yourself, “How would I feel about the situation if I was (my teacher, my professor, or my boss)?” If you are honest with yourself, you will begin to better understand how you need to approach the situation. If you are unsure, ask a mentor! Third, every relationship is built on three critical things: communication, communication, and communication. So do not assume that your “teacher, professor, or boss” knows how you are feeling or what the situation is. Also, keep a steady stream of communication with anyone you are managing up. In doing so, you will be in a better position to deal with a difficult situation as it arises.
Managing up is a respectful way of knowing yourself and your emotions and respecting those you are working with or for. Communication plays a critical role in that process. For more information on this, go to www.MyCollegeMax.com or speak to a mentor! Mentors are fantastic resources that every student should take advantage of!
Good luck!!!!
Steve
Steven J. Harvey, Ph.D.
CEO & Founder, My College Max, Web Site: www.mycollegemax.com
CEO & Founder, The Center for Educational and Career Advancement, Inc., Web Site: www.stevenharveyceca.com
Executive Director, The WNY Consortium of Higher Education, Web Site: www.wnycollegeconnection.com
True leadership only exists if people follow when they have the freedom not to. James Collins