Have you placed yourself in your manager's shoes lately? Take a look a the business, the organization and the challenges from her perspective and her position in the organization. She has feelings, career aspirations and work/life challenges - just like you. And just as you want your employees to respect and appreciate all that you
do for them, your manager also wants to feel that you understand his or her needs. Making the effort to reach out to your boss in an effort to get to know her and what she is motivated by is not being a 'brown nose'; instead, it's a way for your manager to begin to value your relationship with her, and to consider you as someone with
whom she can comfortably relate.

Often, new managers will come to me and say "My boss doesn't understand what I do!" And to them, I always ask "Do you understand her work and challenges?" 'Managing up' is a relatively new term that means YOU have to put in some work to understand
your boss. Doing this will, in turn, bring a much higher level of understanding between both of you.

When you begin, it can be a bit scary and intimidating to begin the process of managing up. Your boss got to where she is today by working hard and using her business savvy and intelligence to gain recognition within the organization. But chances are, if she is in a position of leadership, she also managed up to get to where she is today.

Some of those who are best at managing up have learned to enhance their relationship with their supervisor constructively by understanding her. It's OK to get to know your boss's likes and dislikes in the workplace - do they prefer email or over the phone communication? Does she work late or early in the day? Also, make sure you know your boss's goals for her organization. It's the only way you can insure your goals are in alignment with hers.

If your current idea of getting along with your boss is at the 'admiring family photos on the desk stage', learning how to manage up is another way to move your career along. When you begin to see your boss as someone with whom you can have a conversation without hesitation or nervousness, you'll know you've begun the
process of managing up. Career progress and satisfaction rarely occur if you don't manage your boss.

There are some who believe that the primary responsibility of all employees is to establish and maintain a successful relationship with their boss. I'm sure you want that with your own employees - and your manager wants the same from you!

P.S. Visit our website The Leadership Resource for more valuable information to Lead with Confidence!