Managing Up: One of the Career Skills Nobody Teaches

When most people start their first job, they believe one thing.

"My manager is responsible for managing me."

While that's true, it's only half the story.

One of the biggest career lessons I've learnt is that the strongest professionals don't just wait to be managed well.

They learn how to manage up.

If you've never heard that term before, you're not alone.

Universities don't teach it.

Graduate programs rarely explain it.

Yet it can have a huge impact on your career.

Managing up isn't about flattering your manager or agreeing with everything they say.

It's about building a professional relationship that helps both of you succeed.

When your manager succeeds, your team succeeds.

When your team succeeds, more opportunities often follow.

Your Manager Is Human Too

It's easy to imagine your manager has everything under control.

The reality?

They're often balancing deadlines, budgets, stakeholders, meetings and supporting multiple people at once.

They're human.

That doesn't excuse poor leadership.

But it does explain why they sometimes forget things, get pulled in different directions or don't realise you need more support.

The graduates who wait quietly often become invisible.

The graduates who communicate respectfully become memorable.

Don't Wait for Your Manager to Read Your Mind

One of the biggest mistakes I see graduates make is assuming:

"If my manager cared, they'd know."

Know what?

That you'd like more responsibility?

That you're interested in another project?

That you're struggling?

That you want feedback?

Managers can't always see what's happening inside your head.

Help them.

Say things like:

“I'd love the opportunity to get involved in that project if something suitable comes up.”

Or:

“I'd really appreciate some feedback on how I handled today's presentation.”

Simple conversations create opportunities.

Silence rarely does.

Make Their Job Easier

One of the fastest ways to earn trust is to become someone your manager can rely on.

Before asking for an update, ask yourself:

Have I already looked for the answer?

Have I thought about possible solutions?

Am I bringing a problem or a recommendation?

Managers appreciate people who think.

Instead of saying:

“There's a problem.”

Try saying:

“I've found an issue. I can see two possible ways to solve it. Which direction would you prefer?”

You've made their decision easier.

That's valuable.

Understand How Your Manager Likes to Work

Every manager communicates differently.

Some want detailed updates.

Others prefer a quick summary.

Some like regular check-ins.

Others value independence.

Pay attention.

Ask questions.

Adapting your communication style isn't about changing who you are.

It's about making collaboration easier.

That's emotional intelligence.

Feedback Is a Two-Way Conversation

One of the best questions you can ask a manager is:

“What's one thing I could do that would make your job easier?”

Very few graduates ask this.

The answer might surprise you.

Maybe they need updates earlier.

Maybe they want more proactive communication.

Maybe they'd like you to take more ownership.

Small adjustments can dramatically strengthen your relationship.

Your Manager Isn't Your Career Plan

This might be the most important lesson of all.

Your manager should support your development.

But they shouldn't be the only person responsible for it.

Find mentors.

Build relationships across the business.

Learn from different leaders.

Ask questions.

Take ownership of your growth.

The people who build remarkable careers don't wait for someone else to create opportunities for them.

They actively seek them.

Great Managers Want You to Succeed

Some of the best leaders I've worked with looked for opportunities to put me in front of senior executives.

They trusted me with presentations.

They introduced me to people who could help me grow.

At first, I thought they were simply giving me experience.

Later I realised something much more important.

They understood that developing great people was part of being a great leader.

When your manager invests in you, honour that investment.

Prepare well.

Follow through.

Be curious.

And always say thank you.

Because trust grows both ways.

Final Thoughts

Managing up isn't about impressing your manager.

It's about building a professional relationship based on trust, communication and shared success.

The strongest careers aren't built by waiting for instructions.

They're built by taking ownership.

Helping others succeed.

Communicating openly.

And making it easier for the people around you to do their best work.

One day, you'll become someone's manager too.

When that happens, you'll understand just how valuable these behaviours really are.

The GradWIN Challenge

This week, think about your manager, supervisor, lecturer or mentor.

Ask yourself:

• Do they know what I'm hoping to learn?
• Have I asked for feedback recently?
• Am I bringing problems, or possible solutions?
• What could I do this week that would make their job just a little easier?

Then choose one action.

Have the conversation.

Ask the question.

Volunteer to help.

Or simply thank them for something they've done that has helped you grow.

Managing up isn't about getting ahead.

It's about building relationships based on trust, respect and shared success.

Those are the relationships that shape careers.