Managing Up: How to Get What You Need from the People in Charge by Melody Wilding
Melody Wilding’s Managing Up is a timely guide for professionals navigating hierarchies in complex workplace environments.
Grounded in behavioural science, the book encourages employees to stop seeing authority as an obstacle and instead adopt a more strategic, psychologically intelligent approach to communication and influence.
What sets this book apart is its ability to marry empathy with assertiveness. Wilding positions “managing up” not as manipulation, but as a collaborative effort—fostering mutual understanding between staff and leaders. For those in matrix organisations, or reporting into multiple stakeholders, the advice is especially pertinent. As business psychologists, we see immense value in her emphasis on emotional regulation, perspective-taking, and boundary-setting.
The book’s strength lies in its actionable advice, providing templates and scripts for various workplace scenarios. It addresses realistic challenges, like navigating office politics and advocating for needs, with an empowering tone.
While the concepts might be familiar to experienced professionals, and the focus is primarily on individual action rather than systemic change, it offers a balanced approach, avoiding a “boss-bashing” mentality. The book is particularly beneficial for early-career professionals, those struggling with their managers, individuals seeking career advancement, and those aiming to improve their emotional intelligence.
Key takeaways include understanding that managing up is about mutual benefit, recognizing the manager’s perspective, the importance of emotional intelligence, strategic advocacy, and the gradual building of trust and credibility.
Managing Up is a valuable resource for improving workplace relationships and advancing careers, offering practical advice and a balanced perspective on navigating complex workplace dynamics.
