10 Techniques for Managing Up, Down, Sideways...and Inwards

Have you ever counted how many managers you've had in your career? For me, the number is more than 30, since my first newspaper route at age 11. For better or for worse, each taught me something different about management style, so I finally took some time to write out my perspective on best practices in 360 degree management.

The inspiration to finally do so came from reading Marty Cagan's, Inspired. This book is a great read for anyone working inside a technology driven organization. But it was the "Managing Up" chapter that really caught my attention. While Cagan's advice is for developers and others managing in a product development environment, the chapter contains advice that carries over to any workplace, and perhaps even life. In comparing my techniques with his, I found I share at least 6 of his 10. Italics are his, commentaries are mine. You can find the full list with Cagan's commentary here.

1. "Communication Style and Frequency" Design your communications based on what will motivate the recipient to act. This often means adapting your approach to each person, and constantly reassessing your communication style. If you find you're being ineffective, or facing conflict with a co-worker, view these moments as career growth opportunities, where you must stretch your own work style to meet that of another's. 'Diversity of Thought' isn't just corporate jargon; it's essential to avoiding 'group think,' and creating a culture of fresh thinking and new ideas.

2. "Recommendations/Constructive Approach, Not Problems" This sounds like one of those inflated-ego manager things, but it's true at every level and in every direction in which you manage (up, down, across, or even inwards). Be it peer to peer, direct reports, or managers, avoid dropping problems in other people's laps. If you have ideas on how to solve the problem, bring them forward. Even if you don't have a solution, you should be able to articulate your thought process, constructive context and the end goal. If you're faced with a colleague who has a habit of dropping problems with no context or solutions, challenge them by asking, "How would you suggest we approach solving this?" Rather than feeling dismissive, it can be surprisingly empowering. HBR has a great article on this topic that is a quick and informative read - I highly recommend it.

3. "Use Your Manager" Effective managers should be there for the sake of your success, not their own. I don't believe in "hire great people, then get out of their way." I think that's a thinly disguised rationalization to skirt management responsibilities. Good managers are there to remove barriers and enable success, and thus will be successful themselves in the process. Hence, if you're facing barriers, challenge your manager - how can she or he help you? Oh. And don't forget to read #2 before you request that help.

4. "Use Data and Facts and Not Opinions" It's important to always have a point of view. There should never be 50/50 odds, or a forecast of '50%' - choose 40% or 60%. Take a stand and be ready to defend it '3 questions deep' (meaning you can state a point of view and defend against at least three rounds of challenges). If you don't have data to back up your point of view, state that openly. Better to be honest than to be caught flat footed. All that said, you must also be ready and willing to change points of view when faced with new evidence that clearly contradicts your point of view. As articulated by Jeff Bezos, "People who are right a lot of the time are people who often change their minds. The smartest people are constantly revising their understanding, reconsidering a problem they thought they’d already solved. They’re open to new points of view, new information, new ideas, contradictions, and challenges to their own way of thinking." In fact, the next time you see a politician 'flip-flop' on an issue, applaud him for being open minded, and flexible enough to realize he was previously wrong (just as long as the flip was based on facts, and not just the latest polls!).

5. "Evangelize" Simply put, you are your own best champion - no one else has your best interests in mind to the extent that you have your own. It's no longer your parents or teachers. It won't be your colleagues and honestly, it will almost never be your boss. You can influence her or him to champion you or your needs, but you must be proactive to achieve this. The same is true for your cause, your business problem, your project, your team or your company. No one will have as much passion for it as you do, so always be selling and rallying others around your cause. Whatever that cause may be. As Robert Louis Stevenson said, "Everyone lives by selling something."

6. "Low-maintenance Employees" This is perhaps the hardest thing to do. You may spend your days focused on your own projects, causes, or personal development needs. You may feel overwhelmed with problems that you do not know how to solve. But if you are constantly leaning on those around, above or below you to help you sort it all out, you will inevitably lose willingness to help when you may need it most. How do you do this? Start by reading #2, #3, and The Boy Who Cried Wolf; but perhaps #2 above all.

And now for 3 more of my own:

7. Be indispensable. Be replaceable. If you were to disappear tomorrow, would you be missed? Would a void be felt? Good. But would there be someone who you've been mentoring, coaching and training ready to step in? Also good. Because without both, you can't get promoted and progress in your career. You must be indispensable enough for those in power to want to give you more responsibility, while not being limited by the belief that you are irreplaceable. As soon as you start a new role, immediately begin looking for your replacement. Build a plan for them and seek quiet success by celebrating theirs out loud. If you don't, you will stagnate.

8. Know your priorities to achieve happiness in life. Do you live to work, or work to live? What is the most important thing in your life for which you will never compromise? Perhaps it's your family, your daily hour for exercise, or religion. Are you willing to travel for work but never want to be away for more than one night? Are you willing to be away but never over a weekend? Or maybe you are committed to your job above all else, no matter what, and there is nothing you would put ahead of it when faced with a conflicting demand on your time or integrity. Whatever your priorities, write them down. Rank them. Constantly refer back to them when they are challenged and be honest about whether a new ranking is required. Otherwise, you will struggle emotionally and morally every time a priority is challenged. Ghandi said, "Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony." Think about that hard and long. Look in the mirror and ask if your priorities are ranked to achieve that definition of happiness. If they aren't, rearrange, make changes, and then try again.

9. "Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle." This is the most profound advice I have ever read or received, as it sheds new light for me on the Golden Rule, which somehow always rang a bit hollow to me. If you embrace and internalize this, you will have empathy for those around you, you will be more successful in your own endeavors, and you will be a better person for it.

So that's 9: 6 of Cagan's and 3 of mine. What should the 10th be? Add yours below, and then go write down your own list...and be ready to evolve them!