How to Manage Upwards Without Losing Yourself

The Quiet Skill That Shapes Your Career

We spend plenty of time talking about how managers should lead their teams. But there’s less talk about the other side of the relationship: how you manage your boss.

When the dynamic with your manager isn’t working, it can drain energy, slow progress, and keep good ideas buried. Managing upwards is the skill of turning that relationship into something productive, where you’re seen as a trusted partner, not just a follower.

More Than Flattery or Politics

Managing upwards isn’t about playing games. It’s about building influence, understanding how your manager sees you, recognising what they need, and bridging the gap between their perspective and yours.

Done well, it makes your work more visible, your voice more credible, and your career path clearer.

Watch: Russell Caird on Maximising Your Power

In our recent Skills Taster Session, Russell Caird explored how to strengthen your relationship with your manager and maximise both your personal and positional power.

Watch the replay here

You’ll learn practical strategies for:

• Understanding different manager styles.
• Securing time for meaningful conversations.
• Rebuilding trust after mistakes.
• Navigating senior stakeholders with confidence.

A Shift You Can Try Today

Before your next 1:1, ask yourself two questions:

1. How do I see my manager?
2. How do they likely see me?

That small shift in perspective can change the tone of the conversation and help you build influence where it matters.

The post How to Manage Upwards Without Losing Yourself appeared first on Think Productive UK.

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