Managing Up Starts with Managing You

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Being seen and known as reputable, credible, and knowledgeable takes action to amplify visibility, voice and value.

In 2012, my business seemed to be like a rollercoaster, and when I spent some time working out why, I realized I needed to be more visible. I set a goal to attend at least one networking function per week for approximately six months. I was living in Sydney at the time, and I needed to let the market know I was there. I attended a lot of events! A lot! Networking and strengthening my network helped increase my business.

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Manage UP: Amplify your Visibility, Voice and Value

In 2017/18, I posted and shared one short informational and inspirational video per week. This was, once again, to be more visible and to demonstrate I had a voice, and my intention was to give value.

In 2018, LinkedIn reached out to me and said I have been named in the Top 25 voices for LinkedIn for Australia in 2018. I admit I had to check if the email was spam or a scam, but it turned out to be legitimate.

These are just two examples of how amplifying your three core essences of you will lead to being seen as reputable, credible, and knowledgeable. It can be surprising what can impact how others perceive you and your impact—take Joseph as an example:

Project Manager Joseph hates being on camera when the project team meets. Joseph also wants to be promoted, but he’s been overlooked twice now. Joseph and I, while undertaking a DISC debrief also looked at his visibility, voice, and value. While the link to being on camera and being promoted might seem like a stretch, when Joseph determined to get specific feedback on why he’s missing promotions, each leader he spoke with made reference to his (in)visibility. One comment Joseph received:

“Joseph, I never see you. If I’m to consider you for promotion, then I need to see you and your performance. I need you to be the first person I think of. I know you’re a solid employee, but how do I know where you excel when you stay hidden?”

Knowing what to work on can be challenging and overwhelming, which could cause paralysis from analysis.

One way to explore what to focus on would be to reflect on:

  • What fears come up more often than anything else?
  • What seems to trigger any sense of being out of control?
  • Where and when does it feel as though there’s not enough?

 

Below the Line

When it comes to understanding this deeper, consider if you relate to any of these or you’ve received feedback similar to these:

Invisible, Absent, Hidden, Withdrawn, Diffident: avoid meetings, networking, camera off, mute on, reserved. When called upon there’s hesitation.

Ignorant: Can tend to push opinion or unwilling to hear alternative views. Might tend toward over-talking, draw out the point; conversely, rarely offer input or wait to be called upon to contribute. Have a fixed mindset, believing the current status quo is as far as you can go.

Insufficient: Playing small due to feeling inadequate or ill-equipped. Imposter syndrome plays a significant part in keeping you passive.

Above the Line

With ongoing development, such as emotional intelligence, motivation and understanding motivators, and self-efficacy, managing up above the line will look, feel, and sound invincible, intelligent, and influential. Do you relate to any of these?

Invincible: Able to handle a range of situations—resilient and confident. Be seen as and comfortable connecting people and showing up consistently.

Intelligent: Confidently contribute expertise, and able to handle tough questions, comfortable with saying you don’t know. Can remain poised during challenging times, which includes asking questions, being curious, and willing and excited to learn.

Influential: People see you as an expert leader; they seek you out and rely on you as an adviser. You operate with purpose and clarity.

What would help you manage up?

Managing up is a journey—it’s like a marathon, definitely not a sprint. In high school I ran cross-country; I loved this race as I could settle into a pace, a cadence, that my body could manage and sustain. Actions and excelling in managing up is about life long development, finding your personal development cadence.

Like running, you need to have a process; you don’t simply get off the couch one day and run a full 26.2-mile marathon. You need to train and that means having specific areas to focus on. Being in your best position to manage up successfully means focusing on specific areas so that you are confident and influential when handling those more senior to you.

You might consider the following areas to help you manage up effectively:

Visibility: 

What would help you be more visible?

  • Networking
  • Having a mentor
  • Being more present amongst your team, within the organization

 

Voice:

What would help you be heard and more confident to speak up?

  • Undertake self-awareness training
  • Read more: leaders are readers!
  • Adopt a beginner’s mind: Despite knowing adopt a curious mind so as to see situations from different perspectives; ask questions.

 

Value:

What would help you to demonstrate your value more?

  • Develop strong problem solving and decision-making skills
  • Build your confidence
  • Undertake interpersonal communication skills training

 

This list is by no means exhaustive but gives you a place to start and consider.

What would you do first?

Author
Sally Foley-Lewis smiling
Sally Foley-Lewis

Sally Foley-Lewis helps managers be high performing, purposeful, and productive. Obsessed with boosting productivity and self-leadership that ensures people reach their potential. Sally positively impacts your results, confidence and effectiveness.

  • 2020 Gold Stevie Award – Female Entrepreneur of the Year – Business Services
  • 2020 Bronze Stevie Award – Female Entrepreneur of the Year – Consumer Services
  • Awarded the 2020 Breakthrough Speaker of the Year by Professional Speakers Australia
  • 2019 finalist for Australian Learning Professional of the Year
  • 2019 Bronze Stevie International Business Award
  • Winning Champion Sole Trader in the 2019 Australian Small Business Champion Awards
  • One of the 25 LinkedIn Top Voices for Australia for 2018 for her thought leadership.

 

She has authored multiple books. Her book The Productive Leader received an endorsement from the renowned global personal development guru Brian Tracy. The drive to support and skill managers comes from her own senior leadership experiences. Sally delivers presentations, keynote speeches, workshops and coaching—all online and face-to-face—to help skill managers, boost productivity and self-leadership.

Blending 20+ years of working with a diverse range of people and industries, in Germany, the Middle East, Asia, and across Australia, Sally has extensive qualifications, a wicked sense of humor and an ability to make people feel at ease. Sally’s your first choice for inspiration, mastering skills, facilitating action and achieving results.

Connect With Sally on LinkedIn.

Recommended Webinar
Manage UP: Amplify your Visibility, Voice and Value

Managing up successfully starts with understanding yourself and your manager’s role. Discover key factors to help you progress in your role.

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