A Tactical Guide to Managing Up: 30 Tips from the Smartest People We Know

Top startup leaders share their best tips for managing up, including communication tactics, building trust, and goal setting with your manager.

What is your best tip for managing up?

We were especially focused on borrowing tactics that can be applied right away. The responses from these experienced startup leaders opened a vault of knowledge that’s rarely unlocked. Some tips focus on templates for communicating most effectively and consistently, while others provide examples for what they wish more direct reports would do.

LEAVE YOUR ASSUMPTIONS AT THE DOOR.

1. Always align on these two questions.
   Make sure you and your manager have the same answers to these two key questions: 1) What is success for me personally? 2) What is success for my manager’s team? If you aren’t sure your manager knows what you care about, or you don’t know what your manager cares about, ask in your next 1:1.

   The intersection of your success and your manager’s success is where magic happens.

2. Show your work with what matters most.
   Understand what your boss wants and needs. Identify the mechanisms they use to trust your work, whether that be peer validation, metrics, or other signals.

   Managing up is not an event — it’s an ongoing process; treat it as an investment, not an overhead.

3. Break out of your tunnel vision.
   Understand what your manager’s most urgent priorities are.

4. Focus on what’s keeping your manager up at night.
   Proposals that solve both your problems and your boss’s are gold.

HONE YOUR DELIVERY FOR COMMUNICATION THAT COMES THROUGH LOUD-AND-CLEAR.

1. Open up about your “work love language.”
   Share what motivates you with your manager, including your long-term goals.

2. Observe how your manager listens.
   Learn how your leader processes information and adjust your communication accordingly.

3. Calibrate to match your manager’s involvement.
   Tailor your updates based on whether your manager prefers detailed or high-level information.

4. Communicate early and often to avoid surprises.
   Proactive communication is key to preventing misunderstandings.

5. Don’t get stuck in your ways and ignore your audience.
   Understand each person’s preferred communication style and adjust your approach.

6. Lean on OKRs to make sure the message sticks.
   Frame your work in the context of the company's and manager's goals.

7. Distinguish between communicating and vocalizing.
   Thoughtful communication is key; misunderstandings can arise from poor expression.

BOOST YOUR CHANCES OF HEARING ‘YES’ TO YOUR ASK.

1. Start leaving a breadcrumb trail.
   Don’t save complex topics; present ideas in pieces to build understanding.

2. Create a shared understanding of the problem.
   Cultivate a partnership with your manager for ongoing problem-solving.

3. Don’t bury your requests.
   Keep requests separate and clear from general updates to maintain clarity.

4. Always do your homework (and the extra credit).
   Come prepared with options and analysis when asking for feedback.

5. Keep the lines of communication open.
   Regularly update your manager on your needs and challenges.

GET COMFORTABLE WITH FEEDBACK (ON BOTH SIDES OF THE TABLE).

1. Let positive feedback come through louder than your own doubts.
   Embrace positive feedback; it is valid and constructive.

2. Don’t just try to please your boss.
   Be honest and assertive; discuss your counterpoints respectfully.

3. Train your manager on how to treat you.
   Set expectations for availability and communication styles.

SET THE TONE IN YOUR 1:1S.

1. Create a doc to hit the most important points.
   Populate a shared agenda for 1:1s to streamline discussion.

2. Set the tone with a new manager using these five questions.
   Initiate alignment and rapport-building early on.

3. Give a bird’s eye view before zooming in.
   Start meetings with an overview to keep context clear.

4. Grade yourself on alignment.
   Check if your priorities align with your manager’s expectations post-meeting.

5. Peer into your crystal ball.
   Anticipate questions regarding your work in advance.

6. Bring your whole self to the table.
   Discuss personal and professional challenges to deepen your relationship.

SHARE YOUR IMPACT THE RIGHT WAY.

1. Think self-service.
   Use written communication effectively to improve clarity and decrease workload during live discussions.

2. Create a State of the Union report.
   Regularly share what you’re working on through a template to keep your manager informed.

BUILD LASTING RAPPORT AND TRUST.

1. Start with the basics.
   Build rapport through shared interests and open dialogue.

2. Get tactical with building empathy.
   Ask questions and clarify your manager's points of view regularly.

3. Know the difference between mentors and sponsors.
   Recognize the differing roles in your career path and seek out sponsors where needed.