🤝 How to manage up

The concept of "managing up" can be a valuable practice for developers and middle managers. It seems counter-intuitive that we need to manage the people over us. But, simply put, managing up is intentionally improving the relationship with your boss to make their job easier, align with their priorities, and improve the outcomes for both of you. This is not manipulation, kissing up, or trying to look good, but rather communication and understanding.

Release First is a useful tool for managing up. It gives those above us clear visibility into what we are doing in a language they can understand, and even allows them to use and try it in many cases. Release First does not replace all the interpersonal skills needed to manage up, but it does establish the groundwork so you can focus on the important parts of relationships.