How to Manage your Manager
The Subtle Art of Managing Up
#094
Hey friends 👋🏻
How are you doing?
Hope you had a wonderful Easter celebration.
As you get back to work, I thought to share an important but often overlooked professional advice- managing your manager.
If you want to have a good working relationship with your manager, learn to manage him or her.
Let’s go!
Early in my career, I learned a lesson the hard way: doing great work isn’t enough.
I had spent two sleepless weeks pulling together a presentation that solved a major issue in our department. But when I presented it to my manager, she blinked twice, nodded politely, and moved on to the next agenda item.
I felt unseen.
I was jealous of colleagues who were getting it easy with their managers. It took a while before I noticed the one little “trick” those colleagues of mine were using— managing up!
The skill of navigating the relationship with your manager so that you two can succeed.
Here are 5 practical lessons I’ve learned about managing up—subtle, strategic moves that can transform your work life.
1. Learn Your Manager’s Language and Preferences
Managers are people first. Some like Slack messages, others prefer email. Some face-to-face.
Some love details, others want the bottom line. Observe how your manager communicates, how they make decisions, and what they care about. Are they deadline-driven? Do they appreciate data or stories?
If your manager is a metrics junkie, always present data.
If your manager likes stories, go to him or her with the “whats” and “whys”
The lesson? Adapt to your manager’s style, not the other way around.
© Hugh MacLeod
2. Bring Solutions, Not Just Problems
No manager likes an employee who only reports problems.
A better approach? Bring the issue and your best idea for fixing it.
“Hello Amaka, our acquisition number has been dropping for the last 3 weeks. I believe we should run an acquisition campaign to stem the tide, and here are my suggestions…”
***
Imagine Daniel, a product designer who noticed users dropping off at a key step in their app. Instead of just pointing it out, he mocked up a simple redesign.
It doesn’t matter if his manager approves the design or not. What is important is that Daniel is perceived as someone who takes initiative.
You don’t need all the answers, but showing initiative frames you as a proactive thinker, not just another employee bringing problems.
3. Make Them Look Good (Without Being a Sycophant)
This one sounds political, but it’s actually strategic.
Your manager’s success often influences your growth, so help them shine. Your first job is to help your manager succeed.
That doesn’t mean flattery or fake loyalty. It means understanding their goals and aligning your work to support them. If your manager is pushing for a department-wide efficiency drive, find ways to improve your workflow.
If they’re nervous before a big exec meeting, offer to prep data they can use.
Helping them win creates goodwill and positions you as indispensable.
4. Clarify Expectations Relentlessly
Misalignment kills morale and performance.
One of the best things you can do is regularly check: What does success look like for this task? Is there a preferred format or deadline?
“Learn the art of asking questions; it is easy for some, difficult for others— but always necessary” — V in Mafia Manager.
Don’t wait to guess what your manager wants.
Ask early.
Ask often.
5. Manage the Relationship and the Work
The best managers aren’t just bosses—they’re allies. Build relationships.
How do you build that relationship? Set regular check-ins. Ask for feedback. Share your wins (don’t assume they see everything). And when things get tough, communicate early, not after a deadline is missed.
One employee I know sends a short Friday email with three bullets:
What she did this week
What’s next, and
Any blockers.
It takes five minutes, and it’s made her manager more responsive, more invested, and far less likely to micromanage her.
Final Thought
Managing up isn’t manipulation. It’s a partnership.
When done right, it helps your manager lead better, and it helps you grow faster.
So next time you feel stuck or unseen, don’t just ask what your manager wants—figure out how they want it, and help them get there.
You’ll be surprised how far it takes you.
— ❤️ Azodo
Got a question? Shoot me an email at theworkplacehq@gmail.com or nnamdi.azodo@gmail.com
This is helpful. What stood out for me is about understanding my manager's language and style and act accordingly
This is both timely and succinct. Thank you for sharing.