Managing Up

You’re not imagining it. Managing up is hard. But what if it could be easier?

You need your boss’s time, input, and decisions… but you’re often left waiting. You feel like you’re missing their signals - their tone, priorities, or how to actually get through. Worse yet, maybe they haven’t even told you how to work best to them & what they need from you…

This workshop is for you if…

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    You can’t get your leader’s attention, or hold it long enough to get what you need.

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    You’re not speaking the same “language” as your leader… and you need to get them to see what you see.

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    You’re tired of stalled work because of delayed decisions.

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    You’re not sure when you have permission to move forward vs. needing a decision from your leader.

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    You see other people getting results out of your leader, but you’re having a hard time earning trust.

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    You’re not sure where to wait for clarity vs. making clarity for others.

I’ve been in your shoes. I'm Bri Semmel. 

I spent 13+ years at the #1 professional services firm in the world. I wore hats like people leader, initiative director, management consultant, chief of staff to a COO, and many others.

Now, I coach senior-level managers and leaders to be proactive, gain margin, and build confidence in every stage of growth. 

Managing Up can be a daunting task and feel like a job of its own, but it pays off if you can get it right. If you want to earn more trust, responsibility, and autonomy… managing up is critical to getting there. And you learn a heck of a lot along the way that you can pass along to your own team about how you work best.

What You’ll Learn in this 4-Week Immersive Course

  • Review misconceptions about managing up, and best case scenarios of how it can work.

  • Identify key components of a relationship where managing up can be effective.

  • Get crystal clear on your leader’s language.

  • Learn to hunch your leader(s) and anticipate their needs, values, and concerns.

  • Explore ways to tailor your approach to match your leader’s working style.
    (Using the Six Types of Working Genius, by Patrick Lencioni)

  • Practice communicating risks, tradeoffs, and options like a strategic partner.

  • Reflect: What have you tried & tested? What have you learned?

  • Move forward: How will you adjust your approach to managing up to others in the future? How will you adjust how you ask others to manage up to you?

  • Look closely: how do you know if you’re not a fit for your leader?

  • Navigate conflict with your leader without being unprofessional.

  • Review tips and tricks for troubleshooting tricky situations with your leader.

This inaugural cohort is only open to 8 participants!

When: Fridays!
October 3, 10, 17, 24, from 12-1pm EST

Where: Virtual, via Zoom

Cost: $350

Early bird discount: Register by September 20 and use code EARLY20 for 20% off!

Frequently asked questions

  • Great question - really it’s both! We know that adults learn best by doing, or in this case - trying. The format includes instruction, discussion, and activities. You’ll have a chance to practice some talking points & get ideas from others in the group to make sure this is relevant for you and your work situation.

  • Yes, delivery can be live & in-person if needed. This offering is embedded as part of our Manager Bootcamp, offered to organizations.

  • Yes, we’ll touch on ways to provide upward feedback in Week 3.

  • Sessions are recorded and you will have access to watch the playback. We are not able to offer make-up classes at this time.

    If this is a bad time for you & you’d like to be in the know about future deliveries, just email!

Interested, but bad timing?

Let us know! You’ll be able to weigh in on timing for future cohorts.