How do I manage up?

I've been in my current role for three years and was recently promoted to a management position. Yay! I absolutely love my team, but I'm struggling to get my boss to take me seriously (despite being the one to promote me). If I bring up ideas in meetings, they get dismissed. I ask for resources and my boss says she will think about it and then I never hear back. I have tried being proactive and bringing solutions, but my boss and some of the leadership team still seem to overlook me. I feel like I am shouting into the void.

How do I get my boss to actually listen and see me as a member of management?

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Oh, I've totally been there and it sucks! I can't imagine how hard it must be to try to navigate a new role without the support of your boss. But listen, even though it may take some time and work on your part to position yourself as a valuable member of the management team, it's doable. You're new to management so here is one of your first lessons: it's a different ballgame. Before, when you needed something, you'd just ask. But now you can't just ask. You have to justify. You have to speak words they care about. You have to catch them at the right time. You have to almost be a mind reader! Okay, not quite.

But here is exactly how to communicate to upper management to make them listen:

1. Speak Their Language. Senior leaders care about big-picture impact, not the day-to-day details. If you want buy-in, frame your ideas in terms of business outcomes: "This will save us time/money" or "This will improve efficiency by X%."

2. Be the Solution, Not the Complaint. If you bring up a problem, also bring a potential solution. Leaders love people who solve problems, not just point them out.

3. Anticipate Their Priorities. Pay attention to what they talk about in meetings and align your ideas with those priorities. If they care about cutting costs, show how your idea saves money. If they are focused on innovation, highlight the fresh approach.

4. Make Your Ask Clear. Do not just "float an idea" and hope they pick it up. Say, "I would love your support on this. Can we discuss next steps?" Be direct, but not pushy.

   
   

Managing up is all about making your bosses life easier. When you start doing that, they'll take notice, and you'll be able to get the resources you need to be the kick-ass manager I know you can be!