Manage Up in your Career
Managing up may sound like you are trying to climb the corporate ladder or steal your manager’s job, but neither are true. Managing up means helping your manager manage you. Here are several ways to manage up in your nursing career:
Communicate
Get specific information directly from your boss when asked to do something that sounds vague. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, take notes, and confirm your directions, so that nothing is left out.
Communicating will shrink the room for error in your day-to-day tasks and show your boss you are committed to finishing your job.
Take Initiative
If you are given a task to complete and your supervisor hasn’t checked in, go to them. Most supervisors have a ton of things on their plate. So, don’t assume they know your status.
Checking in and giving updates shows you are able to manage yourself and tasks without supervision. These are some of the skills leadership look for when deciding on future management positions.
Check Priorities
If you question how you spend your work time, keep a time log of tasks performed. You can use a simple app, like Hours to keep track. Show this to your manager to help them see where you are spending time. It’s beneficial to show them your capacity and give them a more accurate picture of your day.
Make Them Look Good
When you and your team perform well, it naturally has a positive impact on the way your boss is viewed by upper management. This can have benefits, not just for them, but the entire team. Making them look good is about more than just affecting your manager. It’s about creating a positive environment where people take initiative and show accountability.
Managing up is key to taking your career to a new level by not only keeping you on track, but also caring about your manager’s needs. Taking this approach in your position will help you achieve more than you ever thought possible while creating a pleasant and smooth work environment.
