Learn how to manage up effectively. Understand your boss's style, communicate effectively, and build a relationship based on trust and mutual success.
Her Success Coach helps women leaders build confidence, overcome self-doubt, and lead with clarity. Cambridge-trained, evidence-based coaching for senior women in tech, business, and finance.
"Managing up" is one of the most critical yet misunderstood skills in professional life. It is not about manipulation or "sucking up." It is the process of consciously and deliberately building a strong, productive, and mutually beneficial relationship with your manager.
Regularly ask: "What are your top priorities this week?" and "What does success look like for this initiative?" Then proactively communicate how your work contributes to those priorities.
When you encounter a challenge, do your own thinking first. Analyze the problem, brainstorm solutions, and come to your boss with a recommendation.
Managing up is a two-way street. Ask for permission, use "I" statements, and frame your feedback in the context of helping the team succeed.
Your relationship with your boss is arguably the most important professional relationship you have. By investing in understanding them, aligning your work with their priorities, and communicating proactively, you can build a partnership that accelerates your career and your impact.
Want to develop stronger skills in managing up? Executive coaching can help you navigate this dynamic effectively.
Iveta Dulova is an executive and leadership coach for women with a decade of experience in global technology and a Masters in Coaching and Leadership from the University of Cambridge. She works with women managers, directors, and founders across technology, financial services, and consulting who want to build executive presence, negotiate with confidence, and build a career that reflects their values rather than their fears.
This page is part of the Her Success Coach resource library — a collection of practical articles, frameworks, and coaching programmes designed for women leaders. Explore in-depth guides on leadership confidence, career transitions, executive presence, imposter syndrome, delegation, strategic thinking, and difficult conversations at work. Book a 30-minute Clarity Session to discuss your goals, or join an on-demand course to develop the skills you need at your own pace.