You’ve nailed leading your team,
But when it comes to your manager?
It’s… complicated.
Maybe they’re brilliant but distracted.
Maybe they’re threatened.
Maybe they’re supportive…but forget you exist until there’s a crisis.
Either way, if you want to grow, thrive, and be recognised…
You have to master the skill no one teaches you:
Managing up.
Make sure to read to the end for an exciting announcement…
Coaching Room Insight
It always starts the same way:
“I love my role, but I feel completely blocked.”
“I don’t know how to influence up the way I do with my team.”
“They don’t see what I’m capable of…and I don’t know how to show them without sounding arrogant.”
Here’s the reframe I share:
Managing up isn’t about ego-stroking or people-pleasing.
It’s about leading sideways.
It’s about understanding how to work with your manager, so you can do your job brilliantly…and move your career forward in the process.
5 Smart Shifts That Make Managing Up Easier
Know their priorities.
What are they measured on? What’s keeping them up at night?
Frame your work – and your asks – around what matters to them.
Make your value visible.
Don’t wait for them to notice.
Share your wins, impact, and insight regularly, clearly, and confidently. Think: “Inform, not impress.”
Speak their language.
Do they love data? Stories? Solutions over problems? Mirror the style that lands best – without losing your voice.
Set expectations.
If you need feedback, airtime, or support – ask for it directly. Don’t leave it to chance.
Lead like a peer.
You don’t have to defer or apologise. Start acting like the strategic partner you want to be seen as.
Why This Feels Hard (Especially for Brilliant Women)
You’ve been taught to “just get on with it.”
You’re afraid of seeming needy, political, or self-promoting.
You want to be liked and don’t want to “manage” someone senior.
You’re still being driven by saboteurs like the Pleaser, Hyper-Achiever, or Avoider.
But here’s the truth:
Being liked isn’t the goal. Being respected is.
And that comes from showing up like a leader – at every level.
Win of the Week
“I used to wait to be noticed. Now I manage up strategically – I highlight impact, I bring solutions, and I’ve gone from overlooked to a trusted voice at the table. It’s been a total shift in energy, influence, and confidence.”
Career Elevator Client, Financial Services
Try This Today: The Managing Up Reset
Ask yourself:
What’s one thing I wish my manager better understood about me or my work?
What’s stopping me from communicating that?
How can I frame it in a way that helps them succeed too?
Then pick one small action to take this week:
Send a recap email highlighting your recent wins.
Offer a short update on something that’s progressing well.
Book a meeting to align on priorities and ways of working.
You don’t need permission to lead up.
You just need a strategy – and the self-belief to follow through.
If you’d like to chat about how i can help – Click here and book in a no obligation call.
