Communicating with Commanders

Have you ever realized, partway through a project, that you and your boss aren’t on the same page? Maybe your definitions of success differed, or their expectations were unclear. Maybe you couldn’t get them to listen, or you couldn’t figure out why they insisted on doing things a certain way. Managing up means tackling these disconnects head-on—and doing it through honest, well-timed discussions.

Executive coach Melody Wilding joins Amy G to explain why alignment on goals and clarity around working styles are essential. They talk through how to start these conversations without awkwardness, what to say to make them productive, and how to adapt your approach without losing your authenticity. Plus, they answer listener questions and hear from Amy B about how she handles alignment with both her boss and her team.

Guest expert:

Melody Wilding is an executive coach, human behavior professor, and author of Managing Up: How to Get What You Need from the People in Charge.

Resources:

• “The Essentials: Managing Up,” from Women at Work
• “7 Questions to Decode Your Managers Priorities,” by Melody Wilding
• “Before You Start Collaborating with Someone, Talk About Your Work Styles,” by Anke Thiele
• “28 Questions to Ask Your Boss in Your One-on-Ones,” by Steven G. Rogelberg et al.
• “Managing Up When Leadership Is Stuck in the Weeds,” Ian Gross and Samir Ranavat
• “When Your Manager is Ineffective—and You Feel Stuck,” by Sarah Mann and Luis Velasquez

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