Leading Up

Author

Joe House
April 17, 2023

"Please speak as you would to a small child, or a golden retriever. It wasn't brains that got me here, I can assure you."

This dramatic example of a request to lead up, from the 2011 movie Margin Call, represents the criticality of communicating up; from the right person (the analyst), in the right way (simple), and at the right time (Far enough in advance to make a decision first). Very few work experiences carry this level of intensity, but the example of Leading Up here will set our stage!

LEADING UP:

In this session of Relentless Pursuit Newsletter, we will cover Leading Up. In any position, at any company, you will always have a leader(s) to manage. As an employee, you have a boss. As an owner, you have partners, lenders, shareholders, and other stakeholders. Leading up well is critical to success.

The content here comes from Chapter 10 of Extreme Ownership, The Debrief Podcast Episode 26, and my own experience working as both an employee and an owner.

Information > Trust > Approval: You cannot expect your leader to know what you know, unless you give them the information. A history of timely, accurate, and complete information builds trust. Trust generates approval. If you want to earn approval, remember; Information > Trust > Approval.

Skills: As a subordinate, you cannot rely on your position or authority to create an outcome. Instead, you must use --Influence, Experience, Knowledge, and communication to create the outcome you need.

  • Influence: Connection with customers, suppliers, colleagues, or others to make something happen

  • Experience: Time in market, or in similar situations, applied to the request at hand

  • Knowledge: Education, proven by demonstrated competence

  • Communication: The key skill - How you explain the influence, experience, and knowledge you have!

Humility: Recognize that every situation has finite resources and unlimited demands. Have the humility to understand that your request may not be the current, and overall, priority. Should this occur; ask questions, plead your case, but if decision is made and your request is not included - support the decision, for the success of the broader team, as if it was your own!

TOOL

Simplify & Summarize: Communication is the most important tool when leading up. Be an expert at simplification and summarization; remember the below when leading up!

  • Simplify: 5 bullet points of 1 sentence each

  • Summarize: Be ready to discuss the following; Situation overview, analysis completed, direction decided & plan to execute, intended outcome, and risks associated.

Lead | Produce | Pursue

Joe House