HBR 20-Minute Manager Boxed Set (10 Books) (HBR 20-Minute Manager Series)

Managing Expectations

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That may involve delegating tasks—even those that

come with signifi cant responsibility—to direct re-

ports. It may also mean coming up with creative ways

to share responsibilities with superiors, subordinates,

and peers.

In managing up, you’re doing that kind of deft in-

terpersonal coordination all the time—and constantly

getting better at it. But, as you’ll see next, there are

limits in how far that skill will take you.

Understand the limits of managing up

No matter how clearly you and your manager set mu-

tual expectations, you won’t be able to control every

outcome. And when you can’t fi nd common ground,

more often than not, you will be the one who has to

give. The better you get at managing up, the more

often you’ll agree ...