Why Managing Up Isn’t Selling Out

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Welcome back to House of Leadership. We explore what it really takes to grow and lead successfully in a fast-paced, high-performance environment. We go beyond metrics to talk about influence, visibility, mindset, and the habits that separate good from great. Whether you're climbing the ladder or helping others do the same, you'll find practical insights to elevate your impact.

🔎 What We’ll Learn in Today’s Newsletter

• Why managing up isn’t about flattery, it’s about leading your leader

• The 3 things your VP/exec actually wants from you (but won’t say out loud)

• How to give early warnings and clear updates without over-explaining

• How to make your work visible and aligned to company priorities

• 🔐 Premium: The proven Exec Update Framework. A 3-part formula to update any senior leader in under 3 minutes, with real-world examples that build trust fast.

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Let’s start here: you’re already managing up, whether you realise it or not.
If your leader makes decisions based on what they think you’re doing, not what you’re actually doing, you’ve got a visibility problem.

But here's the trap:
Most leaders either…

• Avoid it entirely ("My work should speak for itself")

• Overdo it ("Look at all my wins! Look how busy I am!")

• Use the wrong levers (e.g. status updates instead of insights, flattery instead of clarity)

The best leaders don’t just manage their team, they lead their leader.

That means:

• Giving them confidence in your judgment

• Anticipating their priorities

• Making them look smart for trusting you

• Guiding them when they’re out of context

This isn’t politics. It’s a strategy.
And it’s your job.

3 Things Your VP/Exec Actually Wants from You

Most senior leaders won’t say these things out loud, but if you consistently deliver them, you’ll be in the top 5% of their trusted inner circle.

1. No Surprises

They don’t want to be blindsided, especially in front of their boss.
Even if it’s bad news, they’d rather hear it early with options than late with excuses.

Do this:

• Give early warnings: “Flagging this now so we can get ahead of it…”

• Own the next steps: “Here’s what I’m doing about it, I’ll update you Friday.”

2. Clear Judgments, Not Just Data

Senior leaders are drowning in context-switching. They don’t want more information, they want clarity.

Do this:

• Don’t just say what’s happening, say what it means

• Offer a recommendation, not just a menu: “Based on XYZ, I recommend option B.”

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3. Confidence That You Own Your World

Your exec doesn’t want to worry about your area. They want to know it’s under control and aligned to their outcomes.

Do this:

• Show them your thinking, not just your to-do list

• Connect your work to org goals, and proactively surface trade-offs or risks

Managing Up Is Leadership, Not Politics

You can manage up and stay authentic.
You can be influential without being insincere.
You can build trust upward, not by being loud, but by being clear, strategic, and reliable.

But if you want to go from “trusted” to “promotable,” you need more than mindset, you need a system.

👇 That’s what I’ll give you in the premium section:

🔐 Premium: The Real Playbook for Managing Up Like a Leader

This is where the tactical edge comes in, a clear, proven system to lead your leader with influence and credibility.

You’ll get:

💬 1. The “Exec Update Framework”

How to update a busy VP in <3 minutes, and leave them confident, not confused.

Includes:

• A simple template (3 bullets + 1 ask)

• Examples for launches, setbacks, and team challenges

• Language that builds alignment, not dependency

🧠 2. The “Strategic Echo” Technique

How to align your work with your exec’s goals, and get recognised for it.

• Use their exact words to show up aligned (without sucking up)

• Create a quarterly “echo map” of their top priorities and weave them into your updates

• Avoid the mistake of speaking in your language, not theirs

🛠️ 3. The “Guided Ask” Structure

How to escalate issues with options, not just problems.

You’ll learn:

• The 3-part structure: “Here’s what’s happening, here’s what I’ve done, here’s what I recommend.”

• How to surface risks without undermining yourself

• When to push back (and how to do it without friction)

🪪 4. Influence Without Authority:

How to respectfully guide your exec when they’re wrong, misaligned, or missing context.

• 4 phrases to redirect a senior leader without sounding defensive

• How to earn the right to challenge, not just comply

• When to go silent — and when to speak with force

✅ Bonus: The Monthly Alignment Meeting Agenda

A plug-and-play template to make your 1:1s with execs strategic, not status-driven.

• Review structure

• Upstream insight sharing

• Proactive roadblock removal

• Career alignment without awkwardness

👉 Unlock the Full Playbook

You’ve read the free stuff—now unlock the tools that actually move the needle. From plug-and-play talk tracks to proven leadership templates, this is the edge your peers wish they had. Upgrade now and lead with confidence, clarity, and calm—every single week.

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A subscription gets you:

• • Plug-and-play talk tracks - Get word-for-word scripts for handling tough conversations, performance reviews, and escalation calls—so you never freeze or fumble.
• • Confidence boosters before key moments - Quick-read mindset resets and one-liners to ground you before team meetings, 1:1s, or presentations.
• • Proven leadership templates - Use battle-tested coaching plans, escalation frameworks, and team comms templates that save you hours and build trust fast.
• • Messaging that lands - Learn how to say what you mean with clarity and confidence—whether you’re giving tough feedback or rallying a demotivated team.
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