Managing Up

Your success at work depends not just on your efforts but also on how effectively you manage your boss.

1. Introverted vs. Extroverted Bosses: Tailoring Your Communication

Every boss functions differently, and understanding their personality type is key. Introverted bosses (Innies) tend to keep to themselves, process information internally, and may not openly communicate often. Extroverted bosses (Outies), however, thrive on interactions and freely share their thoughts and ideas. Recognizing which category your boss falls into will shape how you communicate and collaborate with them.

If you’re an Extroverted employee working for an Introverted boss, you might feel neglected. To navigate this, be proactive about scheduling meetings and focus on getting straight to the point during discussions. Introverted bosses value concise and focused communication. Conversely, as an Introverted employee tasked with dealing with an Extroverted boss, it is beneficial to engage actively in dialogue and offer opinions, even if forming those opinions doesn't come naturally.

Adopting the right communication style fosters mutual respect and clarity, making working relationships smoother. If mismatched communication patterns are ignored, tension can arise, leading to misunderstandings or disconnect.

Examples

• An Innie boss might leave decisions unmentioned unless approached directly for clarification.
• An Outie boss could interrupt employees with frequent updates and discussions, expecting feedback right away.
• A proactive employee who schedules regular check-ins can help their Innie boss share more openly.

2. Recognizing Harmonizers and Advancers

Not all bosses prioritize the same things. Some focus on teamwork and harmony in the workplace, while others are laser-focused on results. Advancers are goal-obsessed and practical, sometimes seeming cold or overly directive. Harmonizers, on the other hand, balance workplace peace and value collaborative efforts but may appear overly lenient.

Employees reporting to Harmonizers need to learn to maneuver conflicts without escalating them to their manager. It’s essential to focus on resolutions that emphasize team collaboration. Conversely, those with Advancer bosses should be prepared to present clear solutions rather than problems. Advancers don’t dwell on issues—they want actions.

Acknowledging your boss’s priorities helps you adapt and work more effectively under their leadership.

Examples

• An Advancer boss might reject venting sessions but appreciate actionable solutions.
• A Harmonizer boss might avoid mediating workplace conflicts to focus on preserving goodwill.
• Success comes by tailoring your language: proposing improvements to Advancers and emphasizing team benefits to Harmonizers.

3. Earning Trust from Micromanagers

Micromanagers tend to hover, overseeing every small detail of your work. This behavior often stems from insecurity or fear of failure. To ease their worries, focus on demonstrating reliability. Consistently meeting deadlines and providing regular updates builds confidence in your skills.

Micromanagers depend on information to feel in control, so detailed communication is vital. This can range from memos about your schedules to progress reports on your projects. While over-sharing may overwhelm other managers, micromanagers often appreciate transparency and reassurance.

By proving you’re dependable, you can gradually loosen their tight grip and enjoy more autonomy.

Examples

• Sending daily summaries to keep a micromanager in the loop reduces chances of desk visits.
• Documenting project deadlines and achievements visibly eases anxiety.
• An employee who delivers meaningful results without fault can sow seeds of trust.

4. Navigating Absentee Bosses

Opposite to micromanagers, absentee bosses provide little to no guidance or oversight. Whether intentional or unintentional, their disengagement can leave teams feeling unsupported. To counter this, rely on self-motivation and seize leadership opportunities in their absence.

Showing personal initiative helps keep projects on track, even with an absent leader. Furthermore, stepping into leadership gaps allows employees to shine and demonstrate organizational skills. Viewing the lack of management as an opportunity, rather than an obstacle, reframes your challenge into a stepping stone.

Success in such a dynamic requires patience and independent thinking.

Examples

• A diligent employee ensures continuity even when leadership is missing.
• Volunteering to organize team directions earns respect in a leader’s shortfall.
• Continuing at full productivity counters the reputation risk of a disengaged manager.

5. Surviving Narcissistic Bosses

Bosses with narcissistic tendencies demand admiration and thrive on power dynamics. They can be charming initially, but their need for constant validation and control often turns destructive. Working under them requires a careful balance of respecting their ego while maintaining your professional boundaries.

While difficult, narcissistic bosses can unexpectedly benefit your career. They often climb to influential positions, and those who remain in their good graces can gain valuable exposure and connections. Practicing exaggerated politeness and giving constructive feedback without challenging their authority avoids unnecessary clashes.

Knowing how to handle difficult conversations sensitively is critical in these situations.

Examples

• Employees who appeal to their boss’s ego foster better work relationships.
• A subtle acknowledgment of a narcissistic manager’s authority guards against backlash.
• Understanding their influence allows shrewd employees to tap opportunities for advancement.

6. Drawing Lessons from Incompetent Bosses

An incompetent manager might be indecisive or poorly organized, yet they often offer opportunities to exercise patience and empathy. These weaknesses typically stem from low confidence, lack of experience, or poor role alignment.

Rather than focusing on their failures, discover what your boss excels at. Highlighting their strengths offers chances to learn something new or benefit from their connections. Looking for silver linings helps you grow professionally, even in challenging dynamics.

By supporting your boss rather than resenting their inefficiency, you can foster better collaboration.

Examples

• Communicating with kindness helps ease pressure on a struggling manager.
• Learning industry tricks from a technically skilled but organizationally flawed boss bridges gaps.
• Recognizing hidden opportunities in their role, such as networking via influential connections.

7. Making the Best of Bad Situations

When all else fails, sometimes it’s best to let go. If managing up no longer works, keeping peace with yourself matters more than loyalty to a toxic environment. Leaving doesn’t mean giving up; it means prioritizing a healthier and brighter future.

Pay attention to warning signals like job dread, declining productivity, or emotional exhaustion. Staying with a harmful manager wastes time and opportunities. Instead, choose to explore new roles that allow growth and positivity.

Quitting may be the start of something better.

Examples

• Regular burnout signals and demotivation reflect a toxic work culture.
• Leaving bad managers renews enthusiasm in healthier workspaces.
• Job changes offer personal and professional freedom denied in previous roles.

8. Observing and Adapting to Personality Types

Knowing what drives your boss improves harmony. Management styles depend on personality, and only by observing their values can you adjust responses productively. Some traits spotlight efficiency, while others cherish collaboration or autonomy.

Spotting work patterns avoids misunderstandings. From introverts to aggressors, each style needs unique approaches to strengthen workplace bonds.

Communicating how they prefer ensures effective workflow.

Examples

• Adapting communication lets introverts thrive in quiet settings.
• Direct reporting satisfies goal-driven leaders best.
• Adjusted feedback between solutions and team-building meets varied needs.

9. Communication Shapes Career Success

From micromanagers to absentee personalities, mastering how you interact professionally matters more than just avoiding confrontation. Transparency, listening skills, and understanding people drive success upward.

Anchoring personality-read behaviors progresses office dynamics over uniform responses. Shaping strategy clears paths amid varied leadership challenges.

Adopting creative problem-solving springs strength despite work conflicts.

Examples

• Tailoring personalities adapts problem-solving efforts flexibly.
• Adjusting voices minimizes conflicts with dominant/outgoing figures.
• Incentivizing solutions/forming adaptable tips enforces resource versatility.

Takeaways

1. Observe your boss's behavior and tailor your communication to suit their style.
2. Foster independence and personal initiative while balancing transparency and collaboration.
3. Know when to walk away. Your happiness and growth matter more than sticking out a toxic environment.