Question

The term “manage upward” applies to those managers and leaders who are lacking in skills to the degree that subordinate employees are compelled to be assertive and take action. Which management and/or leadership techniques could work best in this situation? Explain why you chose the techniques you listed.

Answer 1

Upward Management- The term refers to the art of influencing leaders who are introvert and lacking in skills and who have executive power over the subordinates. Upward management involves people who might have different attitudes. Hence, upward management needs to be dealt with carefully by subordinates when being assertive and taking action.

The leadership techniques to effectively manage upwards are:

• Participative- The leader should have a participative leadership style. This style invites input from the employees to make all critical decisions. This strategy or technique will bring in confidence among employees to perform better rather than managing upwards.
• Strategic- The leader should be strategic. A strategic leader bridges the gap between new possibilities and practicality by exhibiting a prescribed set of habits. This style would inspire the employees rather than them taking over the manager.
• Transformational – In this style, the leadership initiates change in all levels of organization including oneself. These managers motivate the employees to perform better and thus have a direct control over the subordinates. This technique does not provide any opportunity for managing upwards.
• Understanding – If the leader knows that the subordinate is managing upwards, then the leader needs to understand the cause of the problem. The leader then need to develop skills that he/she is lacking.
• Foresight- The manager should have a long term foresight for the team and his own. This avoids many criticalities caused by the subordinates.
• Cross-cultural leader- In today’s diverse work culture, it is mandatory that the leader has a cross cultural leadership style to encourage and motivate the subordinates. This gives way for high team performance and personal and professional development for the team members thus avoiding managing upwards.
• Fair and unbiased – Managing upward is usually done by subordinates to get promotions, worker benefits, job opportunities, special recognition, etc. However, a manager should be unbiased when rating an employee for the next level or for other benefits. This will create a fear among the subordinates to even think of managing upwards.