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Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
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Managing Up summary
Melody Wilding
How to Get What You Need from the People in Charge
19 mins
Brief summary
Managing Up offers actionable advice for professionals to effectively collaborate with their supervisors. Wilding provides strategies to enhance communication, build trust, and influence leadership, fostering a more productive and harmonious workplace environment.
Table of Contents
Managing Up
Summary of 5 key ideas
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Key idea 1 of 5
The alignment and styles conversations that build your influence
When Melody joined a routine morning conference call, she was surprised to hear an unfamiliar voice. Moments later, she was told her job was terminated, effective immediately. This made no sense – her performance had been praised, and her work was valuable. After some reflection, the real reason emerged: her role wasn’t aligned with the company’s main priorities, and lacking leadership support or internal advocates, she was at risk during budget cuts. Her experience is a reminder that good work isn’t enough – your role must align with what truly matters to your company.
Staying aligned starts with understanding exactly what your boss expects and how your work supports broader business goals – the first conversation you must have to ensure career growth. Don’t assume you’re on the right track, ask direct questions about key priorities and success metrics. Build relationships with decision-makers who can vouch for you when priorities shift. Create a power map – an organized way to pinpoint key stakeholders and decision-makers – to help you understand decision-making power in your organization. Such relationships can make the difference between being seen as indispensable or expendable.
Alignment also shapes your future, so define a one-year vision to clarify what you want to accomplish – whether that’s leading a critical project, developing expertise in a new area, or gaining visibility among senior leaders. When your goals and the company’s priorities overlap, you’re in a position for both security and growth.
Let’s now turn to Gabe. He was frustrated because no matter how much effort he put into preparing a team member for promotion, his boss refused to budge. Meanwhile, his colleague Adrian took a strategic approach, recognizing that the boss wasn’t rejecting ideas outright but responded better to structured discussions. He framed his interactions in a way that made her feel involved in shaping the solution, demonstrating his understanding of our second key strategy – communication style alignment.
Workplace friction often comes down to one simple issue: people communicate and make decisions in different ways. If you don’t understand your boss’s style, even the best ideas can fall flat. That’s why recognizing leadership styles – and adjusting accordingly – is a game-changer. The 4Cs framework breaks down managers into four types. Commanders are direct and goal-focused, preferring efficiency and clear-cut solutions. Cheerleaders bring energy and teamwork but can change priorities often. Caretakers support their teams but may hesitate when making tough calls. Controllers rely on structure and accuracy, favoring well-documented and precise communication.
Adapt your approach to fit your boss’s style for smoother interactions and better outcomes. But also advocate for your own work preferences. Create a Me Manual – a personal guide outlining how you work best – to clarify your communication and workflow expectations. Even if you never share it, thinking through your needs will subtly steer interactions in a way that makes work more effective for everyone.
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What is Managing Up about?
Managing Up (2025) offers practical strategies for managing workplace power dynamics and strengthening relationships with leaders. It will provide you with the tools to gain influence, advocate for your needs, and increase your authority without changing job titles. By distilling key workplace challenges into ten essential conversations, it helps you to communicate with confidence, set boundaries, and position yourself for success.
Who should read Managing Up?
- Career-driven professionals aiming for stability and growth
- Managers and leaders improving team communication and decision-making
- Job seekers and career changers planning their next move
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