Manage your Manager, don’t let them manage you 🤫 & Behind the Scenes 💖

Hey friend,

Manage your Manager, don’t let your manager manage you. Let me share a secret with you. Your manager doesn't want to manage you. They want you to manage them.

Let me explain.

If you want your manager to get out of your way, keep them informed about important things that are going on. By managing up, you are convincing your manager that you are ready for the next opportunity, you have more control, and if they are curious, they can ask you because you are leading the team and know more.

This doesn't apply to toxic and incompetent managers. We have all had those types of managers before, which is probably why we want to be better managers.

Keep them informed ✅

If you don't manage correctly by not keeping your manager informed and leaving them out of conversations, they will assume that they should step in more and that you need help.

Don't Assume, Ask 🤝

You might assume that your manager already knows, as they were in the meeting and that your manager is checking in with stakeholders. But don't assume. Could you ask what they know and keep them informed?

Bring Solutions, Not Problems 💪

If you need help, feel free to ask and share some solutions. Don't just bring problems but bring solutions. If we do <this>, here are the pros and cons of it.

Here is a template you can use in 1:1's with your manager 👇

A quick tip: Please fill this out 5-10 minutes before the meeting.

Here is what you missed <share what they missed>
There were a couple of important meetings, and I think you should be informed about this
I may need your help here <add that thing here>
Here are the potential risks, but I've got this under control. Here is what I'm planning to do
Do you have any feedback based on what I've shared?

At any point, asking them for feedback and improvising based on that will help improve your relationship. Your manager is your biggest ally. Letting them in will only open more doors for you and your team.

Behind the Scenes of my Upcoming Course

As you may know, I've been working really hard on publishing my Course on "Becoming of an Engineering Manager" and teaching you everything you need to know to build a high-performing team. The course is meant for Early or Newer Engineering leaders (1-2 yrs of experience).

I have created this checklist for newer Engineering managers, which will help you a lot to ensure you do these things and meet expectations as you start the job. Check this out.

I wish I had this when I got started. Do you think it would be helpful?

👉 Click here if you think this checklist would be helpful.

If you are interested in the course, you can click this button to add yourself to the Waitlist.

Add me to the Waitlist

🧰 The Engineering Leader's Toolbox

BlockSite: An excellent tool to block tabs, i.e. unnecessary distractions, and use Pomodoro technique. I use this every single day.

Talk to you next week!