Managing Up

Why it's needed and how to do it effectively

Author

HR Besties
March 12, 2025

Hey Besties!

We've all seen a manager do something that created a LOT of more work for HR - but this one takes the cake (or, as is the case, stops the paycheck). This week, Leigh tells us about a manager who suspended an employee without pay - without ever checking with HR. (If Leigh’s talking low and quietly to you… that’s not good).

We're also talking about managing up, because (big sigh), yes, sometimes you have to manage your manager. Whether it’s guiding them toward better decisions (like not making up their own HR rules) or making sure your work gets the recognition it deserves, knowing how to effectively influence leadership is a skill every employee needs. So let’s help build it!

In This Episode:

  • Intro Story: Leigh shares about the manager went rogue and suspended an employee without pay… without checking with anyone. What happened next? Well, this time, HR was not this manager’s friend.

  • Corporate Cringe Speak: A very unnecessarily violent phrase at work (that can feel so exhausting)

  • Hot Topic: Managing up isn’t about “kissing up” - it’s about strategy. How do you guide your manager to advocate for you, and make sure decisions don’t get made in a vacuum? We break down practical ways to manage up, without making it your full-time job.

  • Questions & Comments: We talk about more managing up tips… and the time Ashley had a plate smashed on her head. (Was it intentional? Workplace drama? A clumsy accident? You’ll have to tune in.)

Discussion Guide – For Your Next Podcast Discussion Group or Team Meeting:

  1. Stop Fighting: What are things that feel like a fight at work that shouldn’t be so hard? How can we flip them and make them easier?

  2. Managing Up: Have you ever had to guide a leader toward a better decision? What worked (or what really didn’t)?

  3. No Going Rogue: What policies or systems does we have in place to prevent a rogue manager situation? (Or is it more of a “let’s hope for the best” approach? And in that case… what could we add?)

That’s it for this week, Besties! Tune in for HR horror stories, the art (and science) of managing up and getting smashed (by a plate that is). And don’t forget: Managing up isn’t just about making your boss look good - it’s about making sure you and your team don’t suffer from bad decisions.

Happy Friday Junior Junior!
Your HR Besties

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