“Typical workplace ass-kissing.”
This comment caught my attention. The author wrote the comment in response to hearing me describe the “managing up” strategy I teach the leadership teams working with me. This conversation took place on The Podcast with Dr. Kevin Pho.
The commenter and I don’t see managing up in the same way. And this discrepancy got me thinking. About the power of learning to manage up. And about my core belief that I can influence my environment by building relationships.
I recognize that many people may have a cynical view of building relationships in the workplace. And I want to challenge that cynical view. I’m also curious to hear from you. What do you think? Is “managing up” simply a cynical way to manipulate people with more power? Maybe you’re not sure.
Let me explain how I see managing up. And then I’d love to hear what you think.
Managing up involves empathy and a willingness to set aside your agenda while you commit to learning about another person’s perspective on a challenging situation. It requires listening deeply to the person in front of you until you uncover what matters most to them in this moment and this situation. And then, this strategy requires that you persistently engage with the individual until you develop common ground, a place of shared values that will allow both sides to move towards a common goal.
Managing up is a long-term strategy to engage higher-power individuals in negotiation.
We cannot negotiate alone. As Alexandra Carter says in Ask For More, negotiation is like “navigating” a complex waterway.
As healthcare leaders and changemakers, you and I are in a canoe with many other people. Some have more power than you do. Some have less. But we will not navigate the rapids successfully unless we develop shared values and bring the people paddling with us together to achieve a shared outcome.
Managing up is not easy. It’s not always successful. And when it works, it can take years.
Nicola
p.s. Now it’s your turn. What do you think about managing up? Is it a term to sanitize "workplace ass kissing" and manipulation? Or is it a sophisticated strategy to negotiate policy and culture change in healthcare?
What’s new on Menders?
Season 3: Women in leadership
Happy Heart Month! If you're struggling with transitioning from being a clinician to a healthcare executive leader, this episode is for you! Dr. Letitia Anderson, MD, has been in your shoes. She knows it is not easy to balance the competing needs of clinicians and senior executives. But her story demonstrates that you can care for your team while keeping your hospital’s financial stability in mind. Listen to her tips and tricks on staying connected to your clinical team while working in the executive suite. Hear her explain why heart health month helps us to understand the role that health equity plays for every healthcare team member (as people) and not just our patients. And finally, join the conversation as we dig into whether hospitals are responsible for getting involved with their community's food bank and healthy food prescription programs.
***Brand new***
Subscribe to the YouTube Channel: Leading as Chief of Staff with a clinician's heart with Dr. Letitia Anderson
Bio: Dr. Letitia Anderson, MD, is a practicing cardiologist and the Chief of Staff for the Northern Nevada Medical Center. She is also the incoming governor of the Nevada Chapter of the American College of Cardiology. And she is also the Board Chair for the Northern Nevada Food Bank (one of my favorite organizations to support!)