Tips to manage upward relationships in your career
Hello there,
Today, I am sharing with you some insight to grow relationships with you leaders and advance your career.
The first thing to understand is that your leaders want to help you just as much as you want their help. They appreciate being part of your success story just as much also. In case you don't know, it's also part of their KPI (outright or implied) to raise other leaders. With this in mind let's go...
Based on the above, show enough energy, determination and growth mindset that will make them want to take a bet on you.
When scheduling meetings with them, it helps to pace it ahead very well. They are busy so their calendar is most likely full for the next two months. Put your time with them in the 3rd month. Of course, this is assuming what you want is not urgent.
When you ask for their time, tell them upfront what you want from them. Include it in your calendar invite in clear bullet points (if needed).
Be genuine about your readiness to learn and let it be seen from your actions. Put into practice their feedback.
Talking about feedback, have conversations about your ambitions with them and ask what would be expected of you. Ask for their help to achieve that also if you would need it.
If you fail, don't run away. Set up a chat. Talk about your failure. Ask for help to avoid such failure in the future. Be proactive to share what you have learned from the failure and your developmental need.
Not exhaustive, but I hope those would help at least one person.
Quote I am thinking about
"A man may desire to go to Mecca… He fares forth…he may probably never reach Mecca; he may drown before he reaches Port Said; he may perish ingloriously on the cost of the Red Sea; his desire may remain eternally frustrated. Unfulfilled aspiration may always trouble him. But he will not be tormented in the same way as the man who…never leaves Brixton."
What defines a good leader? I think it’s a combination of this 5 things:
That’s all for this week! See you next week.