Managing Up Workshop

What is managing up?

Why is it important?
Identifying your work style
Identifying your supervisors work style
Flexing from your style
Flexing to your supervisors style
Micromanagers: Defining & Defusing Behaviors
Strategies for success

What is managing up?

Developing a pattern of
interaction between you &
your supervisor that delivers
the best possible results for
your organization & yourself.

Why is managing up important?

Your supervisor can serve as your advocate &
connect you with other areas of the organization
You and your supervisor are critically
interdependent
Maintain control over your career you can work
for anyone

Many Models of Social/Work Styles:

Myers-Briggs Type Indicator 4D model

www.myersbriggs.org
DISC (Dominance, Inducement, Submission, Compliance)

www.profilesglobal.com
Five Factor Model of Personality

www.centacs.com

Assertiveness Index:

________: Responsiveness Total

5
4

Formal
Disciplined
Self-Controlled
Methodical
Distant
Thinking
Task-oriented
Reserved
Matter-of-fact
Cool

Informal
Spontaneous
Responsive
Impulsive
Close
Feeling
People-oriented
Outgoing
Dramatic
Warm

Assertiveness

________: Assertiveness Total

Responsiveness Index:

Responsiveness

10

Easy-going
Go along
Hesitant
Accepting
Thoughtful
Supporting
Quiet
Retiring
Relaxed
Subtle

Dominant
Take charge
Assertive
Challenging
Active
Confronting
Talkative
Bold
Intense
Forceful

10

Assertiveness Index:

: Responsiveness Total

Responsiveness

10
9
8
7
6
2

Formal
x Disciplined
x Self-Controlled
x Methodical
x Distant
x Thinking
x Task-oriented
Reserved
Matter-of-fact
Cool

x Informal
Spontaneous
Responsive
Impulsive
Close
Feeling
People-oriented
x Outgoing
x Dramatic
x Warm

Responsiveness Index:

Assertiveness

: Assertiveness Total

Easy-going
Go along
Hesitant
Accepting
Thoughtful
Supporting
Quiet
Retiring
x Relaxed
Subtle

x Dominant
x Take charge
x Assertive
x Challenging
x Active
x Confronting
x Talkative
x Bold
Intense
x Forceful

Dan

10

Assertiveness Index:

________: Responsiveness Total

Assertiveness

Formal
Disciplined
Self-Controlled
Methodical
Distant
Thinking
Task-oriented
Reserved
Matter-of-fact
Cool

Informal
Spontaneous
Responsive
Impulsive
Close
Feeling
People-oriented
Outgoing
Dramatic
Warm

Responsiveness

Chris

________: Assertiveness Total

Responsiveness Index:

Cynthia

10

Easy-going
Go along
Hesitant
Accepting
Thoughtful
Supporting
Quiet
Retiring
Relaxed
Subtle

Dominant
Take charge
Assertive
Challenging
Active
Confronting
Talkative
Bold
Intense
Forceful

Dan

10

Analytical:
(+) Precise, Systematic
(-) Exacting, Inflexible

Responsiveness

(Less)

(Less)

Amiable:
(+) Supportive, Easygoing
(-) Conforming, Permissive

(More)

Four Social Styles:

Expressive:
(+) Imaginative, Enthusiastic
(-) Undisciplined, Unrealistic
Assertiveness
Driver:
(+) Determined, Objective
(-) Dominating, Insensitive

(More)

Flexing from your Style:

Amiable STRETCH

Expressive RESTRAIN

Demonstrate self-direction

Restrain impulsiveness

Dont dodge issues

Restrain talkativeness

Analytical DECIDE

Driver LISTEN

Dont let fact-gathering &

Understand others
Ideas & values
Strength of feelings

weighing of alternatives
hinder others progress

Flexing to your Supervisors Style:

Supervisor is Amiable:

Supervisor is Expressive:

Make genuine small talk

Focus first on big picture

Agree on goals, action plans

Argue up to a point

Assure them that decisions

Use testimonials from people

will have minimum risk

they admire

Supervisor is Analytical:

Supervisor is Driver:

List pros & cons

Dont over-explain

Follow up in writing

Provide limited # of options

Use milestone dates

Honor time limits

Questions to Ask
Your Supervisor
& Yourself

Micromanagers:
Defining &
Defusing
Behaviors

Strategies for Success:

Plan meetings carefully gauge priorities
Regularly seek clarification and updates on
supervisors objectives
Understand management is not unilateral