As a Project manager it is not only important you manage your subordinates or Peers but you should also manage your Manager. I am sure you have participated in those 360-degree surveys 😄, It’s important that you understand how the upper half in the survey can help you. I have had probably 10 different managers in my career and after taking Todd Dewett training on Management I was able to summarize below taking my own example.
Steps to Manage your Manager !!
1. Learn Their communication preferences: Some managers like to be communicated over email, some like face to face long interactions to read you and others need communication to be concise and brief. This is the basic step and you have to pay attention and understand what is their preference and align Yourself. Over the years this has kind of helped me communicate better with my manager and more importantly they were able to process the information I shared easily because I was talking the language they preferred. End of the day, that’s what everyone wants right?
2.Be clear about their expectations: You need to be clear on what they expect out of you from each project/priority you have been assigned. I once assumed a goal and halfway through the project I realized my manager’s expectation was a lot different and I had to somehow do the damage control. After that I always made sure we are on the same page !!! Setting up a weekly 1X1 (unless asked not to ! 😉 ) Should help you with this and you can align yourself as you go!
3.Understand your Boss’s Goals : This is an extremely important strategy. I learned it very late in my career. Knowing your boss’s goal will help you understand the bigger picture and how your role fits in the puzzle. If you are someone who understands their problem statement and working towards solving that will definitely reflect well on you. You will be surprised at how little effort put into this step can help take you a long way in your career.
4.Perform above Average: Having a strong personality and great work ethic are very important but these 2 alone are not going to help you. You have to perform above average, consistently and achieve your goals, meet deadlines and tick everything that you had promised your manager in your goals discussion. Again, consistency is the key, you can’t just perform in 1 quarter and expect the manager to remember it throughout the year. A clear track record of success will set you aside from others.
5.Be your best advocate: I was once blessed with a manager who taught me this lesson. Don’t expect anyone to fight for you unless you fight for yourself. Always make sure that you communicate your long term goal, career aspirations with your manager.  Always be ready to show your work .
I had assumed that somehow my manager will magically read my mind and work toward getting me that new promotion and later realized that, NO, They don’t read your mind !! You have to make it clear. I am not saying be pushy about this and keep talking about this every time you meet, but be realistic and talk about them at appropriate times (definitely once a quarter). Look for the balance, too much about your goals and you may seem like you are someone who is impossible to please and too little you are risking your career at someone else’s hand.
In conclusion, Your boss is very important to you in terms of giving you the required air cover as well as providing you the right runway for your career. Unfortunately, they are very busy so make sure you make the most of their time by following the above steps. This has helped me and my manager know what each of them are working on and working towards.
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