The promotion skill nobody teaches
I get a surprising number of requests to help new managers, both from companies trying to develop people leaders and from individuals who’ve recently stepped into the role.
I also get a version of this question constantly:
“How am I supposed to get manager experience before I’m a manager?”
Fair question. Yes you can mentor or be an onboarding buddy, but that’s likely not enough.
One of the best places to start is a skill almost nobody talks about: Managing up.
The Situation
I’m not a manager yet, but I want to grow into one. At the same time, I feel frustrated because I don’t always know what my manager needs, how to get visibility, or how to influence upward without seeming political. How do I build leadership skills now?
My Take
Managing up is one of the highest-leverage skills you can build if you want more visibility, trust, and future leadership opportunities.
It’s not sucking up.
It’s not politics.
It’s simply learning how organizations actually run.
It teaches communication, alignment, visibility, prioritization, and trust aka manager skills.
1️⃣ Make Work Visible
If you’re an IC:
Don’t assume good work speaks for itself. Send concise, proactive updates:
• what moved
• what’s blocked
• what’s next
• where you need support
If you’re a Manager:
Do the same thing upward, but also highlight team wins.
Your leader should know:
• what your team delivered
• risks ahead
• where support is needed
• who’s doing strong work
Visibility is part of the job. Without it, no one knows how you work…and you’re not top of mind.
2️⃣ Ask Better Questions
If you’re an IC, ask:
• I noticed XYZ coming up a lot, is that a new priority?
• How did the leadership meeting go? What were the main takeaways?
• I’m looking to get more exposure to ABC, is there a way I can add value in that space?
If you’re a Manager, ask:
• What big things are you managing right now?
• How can my team help?
• Anything coming down the pipeline that I should keep in mind?
Managers think beyond their own workload. Start now.
3️⃣ Bring Solutions, Not Just Problems
I know none of you are doing this…but in case you are forwarding to your team, let’s just say it 😅
If you’re an IC:
Instead of: “This isn’t working.”
Try: “This isn’t working. I think option A could be the best path forward.”
If you’re a Manager:
Bring recommendations with tradeoffs. “Here are two paths. My recommendation is A because…which means that…”
That’s how leaders show ownership and build thought leadership and trust.
Final Thought
Want manager experience before you have the title? Start acting like someone who understands how work gets done beyond your own plate.
Managing up is one of the fastest ways to build that muscle.
