Managing Up: Part I - How to Manage Your Image
By the Institute of Management Studies
If you are like most people, when you think about the
everyday meaning of the word manage, you are usually
referring to a manager dealing with a subordinate. But a
subordinate can certainly influence his or her image among
the higher-ups by using some common sense suggestions and
by following some strict rules. It's called "Managing Up.".
For example, use some of the politicking embraced by people
in entertainment and politics to enhance their images: .
1. Be visible. Be seen lunching, socializing, and talking to
higher level and important people.
2. Be an active community citizen. Volunteer your services
to some highly visible charities, either through your work
or in appropriate activities, where you will be seen by
people above you. This shows high energy and a good
community image. The kind of things that many senior
corporate executives notice..
3. Get published. Write a forward-looking article on your
area of expertise and have it published in a trade or
professional journal. Make sure those higher-ups get a copy. .
4. Be a newspaper columnist. Try writing a regular
bib-weekly or monthly feature for your local newspaper.
Local newspapers are always looking for interesting materials..
5. Write for the company newsletter. If you are a
professional with some interesting ideas that appeal to the
average person, try writing a regular article or column for
the company newsletter, if there is one. If there is no
company newsletter, get permission to start one..
CASE STUDY # 1
A young (25 year old) accounting supervisor
for a division of a large tobacco company, started writing
staff relationship articles for her company's divisional
newsletter. She had no formal education in public relations,
but she had a natural ability that caught the eye of the
chairman of the board. He followed her articles for 2 years,
at which time the corporate head of public relations quit.
Guess what? The 27-year old accounting supervisor got the
job of Director of Public Relations for that Fortune 100
Company. (A true story)..
By now, you get the idea. Try to keep yourself seen in a
positive light by your manager and other higher-ups in your
company. It will improve your image and keep you in line for
the next series of promotions..
But you must follow the rules to keep yourself from getting
into trouble with the higher-ups. We'll discuss these in
part 2 of "Managing Up." .
Copyright © 2009 by the Institute of Management Studies. All rights reserved.
Michael Williams and Kempton Smith help individuals and
organizations achieve excellence in management. Visit their
web site http://www.instituteofmanagementstudies.com for
more articles and training resources for people managing people.
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