How to Manage Managers

Member

By Becca
User-Submitted Article

Article Rating:

(3 Ratings)

Knowing how to manage managers can sometimes prove to be a challenge even if you are experienced.

Learning how to manage managers can be a hard task especially if you are new to the business. The last thing a manager wants to be told is how to do their job by someone who just started working at the company they've been at for years. Add to that the fact that you may be young enough to be the manager's son or daughter and you've got yourself a really difficult journey ahead of you. These tips can help to make it easier for anyone to manage managers.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Step 1

In order to manage managers you must make sure you have plenty of resources available to them. Providing ways to help the managers progress in their careers is a key component of managing them and should be a regular part of what you have to offer. For example, if you are seeking to manage managers in a sales environment you could have books available to lend and discuss with your managers. The worst thing you could do in your attempt to manage managers is tell them to do something without having them understand why or how. Helping to educate the managers you are responsible for will help them with their careers and make it easier to manage them. Organizing trainings are also a good way to help manager managers in your department.
Step 2

If you don't want to listen to what your managers have to say you can't expect to manage them effectively. One of the most direct ways to manage managers is to be open and listen to their feedback. Do not simply pacify them, however. Truly taking what they say into consideration is a useful tool that also keeps the lines of communication open. If one of your responsibilities is to manage managers you should always have an open door for them to come in and talk to you about what's on their minds. This will in turn make the process easier for you when you require something from them.
Step 3

As a person who needs to manage managers you must also choose your battles wisely. Managers will have their own way of controlling things and running those that they are responsible for. Allowing them to have some freedom where appropriate with their own team of employees is an important part of knowing how to manage managers. If you focus on ways to actually manage what they do or don't do rather than get involved with telling them how to run their team you will find it easier to manage managers.
Step 4

Another aspect of learning how to effectively manage managers involves changing yourself so that you are willing and open to change. If you yourself are open to change you can expect the same from the managers you are working with. On the other hand, if you refuse to make any changes for them it will be harder for you to manage managers that you are asking to change.
Step 5

As a person who needs to manage managers you should always remain friendly but firm. Acting like an equal to the managers you are trying to manage is not an effective tool and will not work in your favor. It's okay to be friendly and joke around with them when appropriate however you must know when to be firm and always make certain they know you are the boss.
Step 6

In order to manage managers you will likely have to adapt your approach to suit the different styles of each person. One manager may require a direct approach that includes your speaking to them one-on-one while another manager may need things written out and emailed daily. Some managers are managed best by being left alone while others need strict supervision. As you get to know each person that you are trying to manage you will find different ways to manage each one.
Step 7

If the managers you are trying to manage do not respect you there will be little to know chance of you managing them sufficiently. Earning the respect of the managers you need to manage by following through on your promises and rewarding their efforts is necessary to keeping things running smoothly. It will also take time for the managers you need to manager to respect you, so be patient.