Managing Upwards

by Patrick Forsyth, Phil Hailstone (Illustrator)

How to get the best from your working relationship with your boss and other senior people is the subject of this book. It begins by looking at what makes a good boss and what drives the relationship - from both the subordinate's and the boss's perspective. There is advice on how to build a partnership that is constructive, straightforward, trusting and mutually beneficial. The author explains how individuals should respond to the style and approach of their seniors and how they, in turn, should come accross and project the appropriate professional image. Under the heading "working to create impact" the book deals with such matters as taking a brief, objectives and targets, using timings and deadlines to advantage, and progress reports. Subsequent chapters detail how to communicate with senior people (including listening to each other), how to get agreement and how to handle difficulties such as poor information flow, broken promises, the "leave it to me" syndrome and more serious issues such as bullying and sexual harassment. Job appraisals, central to keeping working relationships on track, are dealt with in a separate chapter. The author empphasizes the importance of planning and preparing for these meetings, and of encouraging the appraiser to do so as well.

112 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 2002

About the author

I have written many books for business, but more recently I have had what my daughter calls "proper books" published. Three novels: "Long Overdue", "Loose Ends" and "A Rather Curious Crime"; also three books of light-hearted travel writing all set in South East Asia. "First class at last" features a journey on the Orient Express of Asia, out from Singapore, through Malaysia and into Thailand, "Beguiling Burma" features a river trip, and "Smile because it happened" is about things that make you smile in the land of smiles: Thailand.

I am active in the writing world, am a Fellow of SWWJ and a member of the Society of Authors, I write regularly for "Writing Magazine, give talks about my writing (especially the travel writing) and have also conducted writing workshops.

Reviews

[Mark Wheeler · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book to help me deal with a difficult manager and also help me better manager. Useful on both accounts.

[A · Rating 4 out of 5]

Info dense,pretty free of usual fluff of management books