The Art of Managing Up: How to Build a Strong Relationship with Your Bosses
1.Why Managing Up Has Become a Key Skill
In today’s fast-paced, interconnected, and competitive professional world, it is no longer enough to simply be good at your tasks. Raw performance, measured only by what you produce, does not guarantee career progression. What often makes the difference between two technically capable employees is their ability to “manage up” — that is, to effectively manage their relationship with their superiors.
This concept doesn’t mean flattery or playing office politics. It’s about understanding your managers’ expectations, priorities, and constraints, and adapting the way you communicate and work to make their lives easier, smoother, and more efficient.
Why is this so important today? Because managers, especially in complex global environments, are under constant pressure themselves: tight targets, frequent reporting, rapid decision-making. The person who can be a reliable, responsive support point quickly becomes indispensable. And that privileged position inevitably opens the door to more responsibility, recognition, and opportunities.
I learned this very early, at a time when smartphones hadn’t yet invaded every minute of our professional lives. That lesson has stayed with me — and it is perhaps even more relevant in today’s hyper-connected environment.
2.Schlumberger, SameTime, and the Art of Targeted Responsiveness
Years ago, I worked at Schlumberger, an environment where rigor and performance were part of the DNA. In such a demanding context, every detail mattered to stand out. That’s when I discovered, almost by accident, a simple but incredibly effective method to improve my visibility and relationship with my bosses: smart responsiveness.
At the time, we used an internal messaging tool called SameTime. It wasn’t the most sophisticated tool, but it had a valuable feature: you could set up custom notification sounds depending on the sender. I quickly realized I could turn that into a strategic lever
I configured one distinct sound for my direct manager (N+1) and another for my manager’s manager (N+2). The result: the moment either of them messaged me, I knew instantly, even if I was in the middle of another task. That little sound, barely noticeable to others, became my trigger for action.
Practically, this allowed me to :
- Respond almost immediately to their requests, creating a perception of availability and reliability.
- Tailor my response in tone and content, because I already knew who I was dealing with before even reading the message.
- Subtly prioritize without being distracted by less urgent messages.
Over the months, this targeted responsiveness shaped my professional image. My bosses knew they could count on me for fast, thoughtful responses. The result: my annual evaluations were consistently top marks, and my promotions came faster than expected.
What might seem like a small technical setting was actually a powerful tool of internal personal branding. I had found a discreet but effective way to be seen as proactive, reliable, and attentive.
3.Why This Approach Works
This technique went far beyond speed. It was built on several psychological and professional principles :
a.The rarity of genuine responsiveness
In most organizations, managers don’t get fast replies consistently. Many people answer “when they can,” which could mean hours or even days. Being in the select circle of employees who respond quickly makes you stand out immediately.
b.The value of perceived reliability
It’s not just about speed — it’s about useful, thoughtful answers. When your superiors see that every time they reach out, they get clear, relevant, adapted input, you become indispensable.
c. The cumulative effect of small actions
One quick, well-written response doesn’t change a career. But repeating that behavior week after week, month after month, builds a solid reputation. And in a competitive environment, reputation is currency.
d. Taking control of your professional image
Instead of leaving your bosses’ perception of you to chance, you shape it deliberately. You’re not just an efficient executor — you’re seen as an ally in their own success.
4.From SameTime to WhatsApp, Teams, and Slack
Today, we no longer use SameTime, but equivalents exist everywhere:
- WhatsApp for quick exchanges, even in professional contexts.
- Microsoft Teams in most corporate environments.
- Slack in more agile or startup ecosystems.
The logic is the same: identify priority channels and apply selective responsiveness rules.
Here’s how to transpose the method :
- On WhatsApp: set custom notifications for your bosses or pin their conversations to always keep them visible. This can be applied to your partner.
- On Teams: create alerts for certain contacts or keywords.
- On Slack: set keyword triggers or distinct sounds for specific DMs or channels.
The goal is not to become a slave to your phone or inbox, but to create an invisible prioritization system that lets you spot what truly matters and act fast where it counts.
5.Simple Steps and Mistakes to Avoid
Steps to create your own “manage up” responsiveness system :
- Identify key contacts: your direct manager, their manager, and maybe one or two other influential decision-makers.
- Set up your tools: distinct notifications, pinned chats, keyword alerts.
- Prepare quick-response templates: adaptable draft replies for common requests.
- Track interactions: note frequent requests and patterns to anticipate.
- Stay consistent: this strategy only works if maintained long-term.
Mistakes to avoid :
- Answering too quickly without thinking: speed must not replace quality.
- Being available 24/7: you control your agenda — don’t burn out.
- Falling into flattery: professionalism and usefulness matter, not empty compliments.
6.Taking Control of Your Relationship With Your Bosses
“Managing up” is not optional. It’s a strategic lever for accelerating your career, boosting visibility, and building trust with your leaders.
My experience at Schlumberger taught me that sometimes, the lever hides in overlooked details: a simple notification setting can transform how you’re perceived.
Today, tools have changed, environments are faster, but the principle remains the same: understand your bosses’ priorities and make their work easier with responsiveness, relevance, and reliability.
To anyone reading this, I’d say:
Don’t leave your image to chance. Be intentional.
Find your own modern “SameTime notifications.” Use them to elevate your professionalism. And let time do the rest: consistency in these small actions builds the foundation of great careers.
Yannick Kounga is the Founder & CEO of Africa Venture Group, a company driving digital transformation, IT services, and venture building across Central and West Africa. With over 16 years of international experience across 15 countries, he combines global expertise with local impact, helping businesses and entrepreneurs unlock growth opportunities.