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The Importance of Managing Up and Across for Career Success
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In any professional environment, various skills play a significant role in achieving success, yet one of the most vital is the ability to manage relationships both upward and laterally. Mastering these concepts can empower you to take charge of your career trajectory and effectively navigate workplace dynamics.
Understanding Managing Up and Across
According to Jenny Stine, Ph.D., an independent consultant, the essence of managing up and across lies in your capacity to influence rather than control. Managing up involves influencing those in senior positions, including your direct supervisor, while managing across refers to building relationships with colleagues or teams in different areas of the organization. The goal in both scenarios is to advance projects and initiatives that align with the broader objectives of the organization.
Mary Abbajay, a renowned author of “Managing Up: How to Move Up, Win at Work, and Succeed with Any Type of Boss,” emphasizes that effectively managing relationships is crucial for career progression. She describes managing up as a strategic effort to establish a cooperative relationship with your boss or anyone senior, thereby enhancing collaboration and teamwork, even if differences exist in working styles.
Abbajay clarifies that this process is not about ingratiating oneself with superiors but rather comprehending their priorities and operating methods to foster a productive partnership that benefits all parties involved, including the organization as a whole.
Strategies for Effective Management Upward and Laterally
To effectively implement and develop these skills, Stine advises starting with self-reflection and strategic planning. When tackling a project or addressing an obstacle, it’s beneficial to create a stakeholder map, identifying who can facilitate or hinder progress.
Consider the following questions:
- Who can aid in this project or task?
- Who possesses the power to impede progress?
- What specific support do I seek from each individual?
- Do I currently have a rapport with these stakeholders?
Stine notes that a lack of relationship often complicates the ability to exert influence, highlighting the significance of soft skills such as teamwork, communication, and problem-solving. A 2018 LinkedIn report identifies these interpersonal skills as essential for talent development, underscoring their critical role in workplace success.
Building a network and fostering relationships are foundational for effective management across teams. As you connect with existing peers, you’ll find that these relationships can provide vital insights and introductions, paving the way for successful collaborations. Effective communication of your ideas and securing stakeholder buy-in is pivotal in achieving shared objectives while avoiding manipulative tactics.
Experts like Jay A. Conger advocate for a consultative approach when managing across departments. Engaging with key stakeholders to discuss ideas and address concerns fosters trust and encourages cooperation among those who may not report directly to you.
Embracing a willingness to step beyond formal roles and responsibilities is essential, especially in environments like higher education, where silos can hinder progress. Stine asserts that meaningful collaboration requires engaging individuals across various departments to effect positive change and achieve institutional goals.
Constructing Bridges, Not Breaking Down Silos
Instead of focusing on dismantling silos, developing networks that span them proves more advantageous. Building genuine relationships is crucial for creating pathways that facilitate effective collaboration. Stine emphasizes that lasting success hinges on forming real connections with colleagues, thereby establishing the necessary support system to navigate challenges.
Conclusion
Career hurdles and project-related challenges are inevitable, yet individuals who cultivate skills in managing up and across are often better positioned to address these obstacles. By influencing peers and superiors and adapting collaborative strategies, professionals can significantly contribute to achieving broader organizational goals.
Source
www.higheredjobs.com