Model the Way by Managing Up
Loading...ELEVATE THE TEAM AND GET RESULTS
Manage up is used to create the habit of focusing on the positive, while stamping out the negative. It allows us to model for others the sentiment of recognition and appreciation for hard work. We validate for our employees that we live the values we have deemed important to fulfilling our mission and vision.
Manage up is a communication tactic that allows us to paint ourselves, our co-workers, and our organizations in a positive light. It is a behavior that is essential for reducing anxiety, building teamwork, and eliminating a blaming culture of “We/They.” Manage up is a specific type of recognition that positions people well with others. It promotes people recognizing other people for good work and should be done when people do things well. Manage up helps everyone know “what right looks like,” while also recognizing the person/department demonstrating behaviors aligned to the organization’s values. The recognition should be specific, sincere, and genuine.
Advantages of Managing Up Coworkers
- The stakeholder feels better about their next interaction
- The stakeholder feels more at ease with the handover, thus their coordination of future interactions
- The coworker has a head-start in winning confidence
- Reduces complaints
Advantages of Managing Up Departments
- Reinforces coordination and teamwork
- Positions other departments well so they don’t have to win the stakeholder over
- The stakeholder feels more at ease with the handover, thus their coordination of future interactions
- Decreases anxiety and concern
- Reduces complaints
MANAGING UP IN 4 STEPS
Use every opportunity to recognize individuals and departments when communicating with others.
- Be aware of how you communicate. When tempted to use comments that blame others, turn this around and take the opportunity to use positive communication that builds others up instead.
Script specific Manage Up comments to share at every meeting.
- Be genuine and sincere in giving specific recognition using others’ good work as the example of what right looks like.
- Work to make this a common and intentional practice.
- Remind others to turn a negative statement into a manage up statement in their conversations with others.
Be intentional by making a conscious effort to use at least 3 Manage Up comments each week in individual conversations.
- Note the opportunities in your calendar when manage up comments could be used.
- Script possible statements that could be made in connection to the meeting or interaction.
- Listen for manage up statements made by others and use these in spreading positive communication.
Track who you acknowledged and why.
- Tracking allows you to know who and what is being recognized on your team.
- Tracking allows you to see trends in performance.
