Build Your Manager’s Confidence
How to Manage Up (Part III)
Most of us focus on earning approval and affirmation from our boss. While in this pursuit of getting, we neglect to give it in return. We forget that they too need approval and affirmation. Our managers are not 100% self-assured and unshakable.
Watch the video below for thoughts on shifting the focus off yourself and spotlighting your manager, their performance, and the value they bring to the team to build trust and rapport.
Every human needs to hear that they are valued and cared for, your manager included.
-
Well, welcome to part three in our series on managing up. Today, I want to remind you that your boss is just as human as you are. And what I mean by that is your brain on an ongoing basis is scanning the work environment and the team dynamics to know, to confirm that you are valued, you fit in, you belong, and that others respect your opinions and contributions. Often, we're looking to our boss for that affirmation and approval.
However, we don't typically remember that our boss's brains are doing the same thing. Our boss also needs approval and affirmation. They need to know that we value them, that they fit in, and we view them as part of the team. We often just think they already have this sense of confidence that is unshakable. But the truth is, because I work with leaders all the time, I know that they are often doubting themselves and wondering what their employees think of them.
So, I heard this interesting quote the other day from Dr. JJ Peterson on the Business Made Simple podcast. He said, "Instead of trying to be in the spotlight, try to be the spotlight for others." Where we typically look for our boss to shine the spotlight on us in our work, I want to challenge you to think about being a spotlight on your boss. How can you elevate them? How can you build them up? How can you make them look great? And how can you communicate to them that you value them, you respect them, you're grateful for the work that they do?
That is our tip for managing up today. If you do that, the connection and relationship that will be built there will be one of trust and belonging that will really fuel success between the two of you moving forward.