Managing Up: How to Move up, Win at Work, and Succeed with Any Type of Boss

PRAISE FOR MANAGING UP

"If you′ve ever left a job because of an unbearable boss, you′re not alone. But quitting isn′t your only recourse. If you follow the wise counsel of Mary Abbajay, you can learn how to ′manage your manager.′ Managing Up is full of savvy advice for improving your relationship with your boss and getting the most out of your job."
Daniel H. Pink, author of DRIVE and WHEN

"What makes Abbajay′s book stand out is its direct no–nonsense approach to managing up. It′s a virtual how–to book for working with any boss packed with specific ways to deal with different higher ups. A triumph of a book."
Alex Orfinger, Executive Vice President, American City Business Journals

"Managing Up is NOT a soft, passive approach to managing your career. It is a strong, proactive guide to understanding your boss and taking control of your own career path."
Michael Klein, Past Executive Vice President, MTV and Condé Nast Entertainment

"Abbajay offers fantastic tips and insight for all career stages every last word is a gem of career advice that will empower your approach to managing your career and your boss. A must read!"
Diana Echevarria, Director, Newman′s Own Foundation Fellowship Program

"Managing Up is a critical skill for career success and Mary Abbajay has written the definitive guide. Managing Up is full of practical advice and tips that will help you (and your boss!) succeed."
Steve Ressler, Founder, GovLoop.com

Abbajay, president and founder of Careerstone Group, a consulting firm specializing in corporate training and leadership development, here focuses on the art of managing your boss. The author contends that learning to manage your boss is the single most important thing you can do to take charge of your workplace life and the most significant soft skill you can learn to manage your career. ... VERDICT An insightful guide for decoding your boss with practical and proven strategies to maintain the relationship effectively.
Jane Scott, Clark Lib., Univ. of Portland, OR Library Journal

Acknowledgments xi

About the Author xiii

Introduction xv

Chapter 1 Stop Complaining and StartWinning Managing Up Is the Key to Your Success 1

Chapter 2 Is Your Boss an Innie or Outie? 13

Chapter 3 The Innie 21

Chapter 4 The Outie 31

Chapter 5 Workplace Styles Assessing Your Boss s Workstyle Personality 39

Chapter 6 The Energizer 47

Chapter 7 The Advancer 55

Chapter 8 The Harmonizer 65

Chapter 9 The Evaluator 73

Chapter 10 Difficult Bosses 81

Chapter 11 The Micromanager 85

Chapter 12 The Hands–Off, Absentee, Ghost Boss 95

Chapter 13 The Narcissist 103

Chapter 14 The Impulsive Boss 113

Chapter 15 The Pushover 123

Chapter 16 The BFF Boss 131

Chapter 17 TheWorkaholic 141

Chapter 18 The Incompetent 151

Chapter 19 The Nitpickers and Seagulls 161

Chapter 20 The Truly Terrible Psycho Crazy Bully Tyrannical Screaming Egomaniacs 169

Chapter 21 It s Okay to Quit 185

Chapter 22 Bonus Tips 50Ways to Manage Your Manager 195

Index 203

MARY ABBAJAY is the president and co–founder of Careerstone Group, LLC, a woman–owned, full service organizational and leadership development consultancy that delivers leading–edge talent and organizational development solutions to the public and private sectors. She currently serves on the regional Market President′s Board of BB&T Bank. She was Chairman of the Board for Leadership Greater Washington where she led the adult Signature Program, the Youth Leadership Program, and the Rising Leaders Program.