Before Breakfast
Managing up, with Melody Wilding
May 7, 2025
Melody Wilding, a career expert and author of "Managing Up," shares her insights into effectively navigating professional relationships. She discusses how understanding leadership priorities can enhance workplace productivity. Melody emphasizes the importance of self-awareness and communication styles in managing up. With practical tips on aligning expectations with managers and establishing boundaries, she provides strategies to boost personal productivity. Humorously, she compares adult choices to those faced by toddlers, reminding us of the lighter side of decision-making.
25:58
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Quick takeaways
- Effective managing up requires emotional intelligence to advocate for your needs and foster open communication with managers.
- Establishing alignment through initial conversations about success criteria helps prevent frustration and enhances productivity in the workplace.
Deep dives
Understanding Managing Up
Managing up involves recognizing that it is more than just pleasing superiors; it is about creating conditions for personal success. This concept challenges the traditional notion that managing up is merely about flattery or being a 'yes person.' Instead, managing up can empower individuals to leverage their emotional intelligence to interact effectively with those in authority. This approach includes advocating for one's needs, setting clear expectations, and actively engaging in open communication with managers.
