Leadership Thoughts | Issue #184
You may not be able to change your boss, but you can change how you work with them.
Ever felt like your boss is the biggest hurdle to your success at work? You’re not alone. In fact, a Gallup study revealed that 50% of employees leave their jobs to escape their boss, not the organization itself. Furthermore, 82% of workers admit they’d consider leaving due to a bad boss.
So, how do you work around this? Developing the skill to “lead up” – learning how to manage your relationship with your boss – can transform your work experience, even if your boss presents challenges. Leading up can help you foster growth, improve communication, and create a productive work environment.
Let’s explore what leading up means, how to identify your boss’s leadership style, and strategies to improve your working relationship.
What Does It Mean to "Lead Up"?
Leading up means proactively managing your relationship with your boss to create a more positive and productive work environment. It’s about understanding your boss’s preferences and communication style, and then adapting accordingly.
While you can’t control how your boss behaves, you can control how you collaborate with them by:
Anticipating their needs.
Solving problems proactively.
Delivering work that aligns with their expectations.
Leading up can strengthen your relationship with your boss, increase your visibility in the organization, and help you navigate difficult workplace dynamics.
Understanding Your Boss's Leadership Style
The first step to leading up effectively is understanding your boss’s leadership style. By recognizing their approach, you can tailor your communication and interactions to suit their preferences.
Here are a few common leadership styles and tips on how to lead them:
1. The Micromanager
Micromanagers want to be involved in every detail. This can be frustrating, but building trust by keeping them well-informed can ease their need for control.
Tip: Send regular progress reports to show you’re on top of your tasks and reduce their inclination to micromanage.
2. The Hands-Off Boss
On the other end, hands-off bosses leave you to work with little direction. This requires you to take the initiative and seek feedback regularly.
Tip: Schedule regular check-ins to ensure goal alignment and stay on their radar.
3. The Perfectionist
Perfectionist bosses demand high standards and can be difficult to please. You can lead them by ensuring your work is meticulous and seeking clear instructions from the start.
Tip: Double-check your work and clarify expectations early to avoid multiple revisions.
Adapting Your Communication
Communication is key to leading up. Each boss has a unique style, and adapting your communication approach to fit their preferences can make all the difference.
For Micromanagers: Provide frequent updates with detailed information.
For Hands-Off Bosses: Lead the communication by regularly checking in and providing concise updates.
For Perfectionists: Be thorough in your communication. Present detailed plans and ensure your work meets their vision.
Active Listening:
Listening carefully to your boss is just as important as what you say. Pay attention to their priorities – whether it’s details, results, or deadlines – and align your work with their expectations. It’s a good habit to summarize key points and confirm the next steps at the end of each meeting to ensure you’re both on the same page.
Be Proactive in Solving Problems
Being proactive is a hallmark of leading up. Don’t wait for your boss to spot problems; instead, anticipate issues and present solutions. This shows initiative and helps build your boss’s trust in your abilities.
Anticipate Challenges: Think ahead and prepare for obstacles before they occur.
Present Solutions, Not Just Problems: When an issue arises, offer possible solutions instead of only pointing out the problem.
Own Your Work: Take responsibility for your tasks, show initiative, and be confident in your decisions.
Managing Difficult Bosses
Not every boss is easy to work with, but you can lead even the most challenging ones by being adaptable and understanding their motivations.
The Micromanager: Build trust by consistently delivering updates and showing you’re in control of your tasks.
The Seagull (Unpredictable Boss): These bosses change directions frequently. Stay flexible and regularly check in to align with their evolving expectations.
The Ghost (Unavailable Boss): When your boss is unreachable, take initiative in decision-making and seek input from other knowledgeable individuals in the organization.
Take Responsibility for Success
Leading up isn’t just about managing your boss – it’s about owning your career development and organizational success. While adapting to your boss’s style is important, so is focusing on your personal growth and long-term goals of the organization.
Set Personal Goals: Align your day-to-day work with the broader organization’s objectives.
Seek Feedback: Regularly ask for feedback to ensure you’re meeting expectations and continuously improving.
Find Development Opportunities: Find ways to enhance your skills and demonstrate leadership, even in challenging situations.
Conclusion
Leading up is essential for anyone looking to flourish in their career and guide organizational success, regardless of their boss’s leadership style. By understanding your boss’s preferences, adapting your communication, being proactive in solving problems, and flexibly managing difficult leaders, you’ll create a strong working relationship that benefits both you and your organization.
Remember, you may not be able to change your boss, but you can change how you work with them. That shift in approach can make all the difference in your career and organizational success.
Resources:
Maxwell, J. C. (2019). How to lead when your boss can't (or won't). HarperCollins Leadership.
Useem, M. (2001). Leading up: How to lead your boss so you both win. Crown Business.
Abbajay, M. (2018). Managing up: How to move up, win at work, and succeed with any type of boss. Wiley.
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