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The Secret Skill Everyone Needs

The Secret Skill Everyone Needs

Most people miss this one skill...

Justin Mecham
March 08, 2025

Hey Full Potential Zoners!

Want a promotion and a better career? Start doing this today.

Managing up isn’t optional— it’s essential.

A great manager relationship doesn’t just happen.

It takes strategy, effort, and the right approach.

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Managing up isn’t about control—it’s about alignment.

Strong relationships open doors to bigger opportunities.

Today we are going to help leaders master this by using the:

‘Managing Your Manager - Top Tips to Build a Great Manager Relationship'.

Let’s dive in!

Download This PDF + my Top 60+ Cheat Sheets At Bottom of Email

Managing Up: Real Problems, Real Solutions

1. Unclear Expectations

Scenario: Your manager gives you a project but doesn’t explain what success looks like.

Ask for examples of past work they liked.
Confirm deadlines, key deliverables, and any no-go areas.
Repeat back what you heard to make sure you’re aligned.
Ask how often they want updates and in what format.
Check in early to confirm you’re on the right track.

2. Lack of Communication

Scenario: You rarely hear from your manager unless something goes wrong.

Set a regular check-in, even if they don’t ask for it.
Send a short weekly update with wins, issues, and what’s next.
Use meetings to confirm priorities—not just report progress.
When you need a decision, make it clear why and what’s at risk.
If they don’t respond, follow up with clear options they can pick from.

3. Reactive Problem Solving

Scenario: Problems pile up until they explode, and you’re stuck fixing things in crisis mode.

Flag risks early, before they turn into real problems.
If something goes wrong, explain the cause and options to fix it.
Don’t just say “here’s the problem”—show what you’re doing about it.
Keep a list of lessons learned so mistakes aren’t repeated.
Ask your manager how they want to hear about problems—real-time or at check-ins.

4. Conflicting Priorities

Scenario: Your manager asks for one thing today and something totally different tomorrow.

Keep a running list of all projects and deadlines.
When new work comes in, ask what should get pushed back.
Confirm what’s most urgent if everything feels like a fire drill.
Share the impact when constant changes slow down results.
Push for a priorities meeting if chaos keeps repeating.

5. No Understanding of Their Pressure

Scenario: You see your manager as difficult or scattered—but you don’t know what’s on their plate.

Ask what their biggest stress points are right now.
Offer to own small things that free up their time.
Pay attention to the pressures they get from their own leaders.
Adjust your updates to show how your work supports their goals.
Remember: managers are people too—pressure flows downhill.

6. Misreading Their Style

Scenario: You give your manager tons of details, but they just want quick headlines—or vice versa.

Watch how they communicate—do they focus on big ideas or deep dives?
Ask how much detail they want in updates.
If they skim emails, lead with the main point and action needed.
If they want background, add it below the main update.
Adjust your style to match theirs—not the other way around.

A good manager-employee relationship doesn’t happen by accident.

Clear updates, honest feedback, and asking the right questions change everything.

When you know what your manager needs before they ask, trust grows fast.

When you both stay clear on priorities, the work gets better and easier.

Managing up isn’t about control—it’s about showing you are someone they can count on.

Until next time and with lots of love,

Justin