A guide to successfully managing up

Managing up as a product manager involves actively influencing the way a manager collaborates with you and assesses your performance, which can enhance career development and outcomes. It is crucial because it aids in alignment with company goals, manages risks associated with decision-making, and enhances professional visibility to ensure achievements are recognized. To manage up effectively, product managers should utilize one-on-one meetings to ensure alignment, ask pertinent questions, synthesize information before presenting it, and over-communicate their progress to maintain visibility and reliability. Additionally, proposing ideas that align with strategic goals can position them for more senior roles. The effectiveness of managing up can be gauged by a manager's ability to publicly acknowledge contributions and entrust more strategic projects to the product manager, indicating trust in their judgment and decision-making capabilities.