Managing Up

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HOW TO MOVE UP, WIN AT WORK, AND SUCCEED WITH ANY TYPE OF BOSS

Words and Phrases

  • Hunt for villains/ˈvilən/: evil
  • The world is not a meritocracy: ruled by qualified people
  • Sucking up is for suckers: behave obsequiously; foolish
  • help you excel, adapt, and succeed.
  • being a spineless sycophant/ˈsɪkəfænt/ and being a strategic survivor: 拍马屁者
  • If your boss is a discriminatory cheat or an abusive person: extremely offensive
  • I save my f‐bombs for friends: “fuck” alternative
  • if you don’t have the luxury to quit: financial and social security
  • What are my nonnegotiables?

How to manage those who manage us?

Establishing strong, productive working relationships is the single most effective way to accelerate success in any organization.

Her personality got her where she is today; his approach has been approved by the powers above him.

When confronted with any difficult situation you always have three choices:

  • Change the situation. (We know this is almost impossible, since we can’t actually change other people and getting your boss fired is a long‐term play.)
  • Leave the situation. (Only you can decide when this is the best strategy, and sometimes it is.)
  • Accept and adapt to the situation. (Learn to manage up!)

The adaptive skills that you use to manage up will be many of the same skills you will use to manage down.

Would I want myself as an employee?