Managing Up Course

Editorial Take

Managing Up, offered by Arizona State University on Coursera, targets a subtle but critical skill set: navigating the upward relationship between employees and managers. While often overlooked in traditional leadership training, managing up is essential for career progression, workplace influence, and personal job satisfaction. This course fills a niche by focusing not on leading others, but on leading from below—how to communicate effectively, build trust, and position oneself as a valuable partner to leadership.

Standout Strengths

• Practical Communication Tools: The course delivers immediately usable techniques for framing feedback, asking for support, and aligning with managerial priorities. These tools are grounded in organizational psychology and workplace realism. They help learners reframe interactions as collaborative rather than hierarchical.
• Focus on Emotional Intelligence: Self-awareness, empathy, and adaptability are woven throughout the curriculum. Learners are encouraged to assess their manager’s style and adjust communication accordingly. This builds rapport without compromising authenticity or professionalism in the workplace.
• Structured Skill Progression: Each module builds logically from understanding dynamics to influencing outcomes. The progression from awareness to action ensures learners don’t just understand concepts but apply them. This scaffolding supports real behavioral change over time.
• Relevance Across Industries: Whether in tech, healthcare, education, or finance, managing up is universally applicable. The course avoids industry-specific jargon, making it accessible to a broad audience. Its principles transfer easily across roles and organizational levels.
• Encourages Proactive Mindset: Instead of waiting for direction, learners are taught to anticipate needs and offer solutions. This shift from passive to proactive engagement enhances visibility and credibility. It’s a subtle but powerful career accelerator.
• Flexible Learning Format: Designed for working professionals, the course allows self-paced completion with clear weekly goals. Video lectures, reflection prompts, and practical exercises keep engagement high. The format suits busy schedules without sacrificing depth.

Honest Limitations

• Limited Depth on Power Dynamics: While the course promotes healthy communication, it avoids deeper discussions around power imbalances, toxic leadership, or systemic barriers. Learners in challenging environments may need supplementary resources to navigate complex situations safely and ethically.
• Few Real-World Case Studies: The course relies heavily on theoretical models and general advice rather than detailed case studies. More diverse, real-world scenarios—especially from underrepresented groups—would enhance relatability and practical application across different contexts.
• Minimal Focus on Remote Work: With the rise of hybrid and remote teams, managing up has evolved. The course touches on communication but doesn’t deeply explore digital etiquette, asynchronous feedback, or visibility in virtual environments—critical gaps in today’s workplace.
• Certificate Requires Payment: While the course is free to audit, full access to graded assignments and certification requires a subscription. This paywall may limit accessibility for learners seeking formal recognition without financial commitment, reducing overall value for some.

How to Get the Most Out of It

• Study cadence: Complete one module every two weeks to allow time for reflection and real-world application. Rushing through undermines the behavioral change the course promotes. Spacing improves retention and impact.
• Parallel project: Apply each concept directly to your current role. Track interactions with your manager, noting shifts in tone, response, and collaboration. Real-time practice reinforces learning more than theory alone.
• Note-taking: Use a journal to document insights, feedback attempts, and outcomes. Writing helps internalize emotional intelligence skills. Review notes weekly to identify patterns and progress.
• Community: Engage in discussion forums to share experiences and learn from peers. Different industries and cultures offer varied perspectives on managing up. Community input enriches understanding beyond the course material.
• Practice: Role-play difficult conversations with a trusted colleague or mentor. Rehearsing feedback or requests builds confidence. Practice reduces anxiety and improves delivery in real situations.
• Consistency: Apply techniques regularly, even in low-stakes interactions. Small, consistent actions build credibility over time. Managing up is less about grand gestures and more about sustained presence.

Supplementary Resources

• Book: 'The First 90 Days' by Michael D. Watkins offers deeper strategies for influencing leadership and accelerating integration into new roles. It complements the course’s focus on early relationship-building.
• Tool: Use 360-degree feedback tools like SurveyMonkey or Google Forms to gather anonymous input on your communication style. This data helps refine your approach when managing up effectively.
• Follow-up: Consider taking 'Influencing People' or 'Leadership Communication' courses to expand on these skills. These build directly on the foundation laid in this course.
• Reference: Harvard Business Review articles on upward feedback and emotional intelligence provide updated, research-backed insights. They help bridge any gaps in the course’s more general advice.

Common Pitfalls

• Pitfall: Mistaking managing up for manipulation or brown-nosing. The course clarifies this is about professionalism, not flattery. Misunderstanding this can lead to inauthentic behavior that damages trust.
• Pitfall: Expecting immediate results from feedback or initiative. Change takes time, especially in hierarchical structures. Patience and persistence are required to see meaningful shifts in manager-employee dynamics.
• Pitfall: Overextending oneself to prove value. Proactivity should not become overcommitment. Maintaining boundaries ensures sustainability and prevents burnout while still demonstrating initiative.

Time & Money ROI

• Time: At 8 weeks with 2–3 hours per week, the time investment is reasonable for the return. Learners gain practical skills that can improve daily work life immediately, making the effort worthwhile.
• Cost-to-value: The course is free to audit, but certification requires payment. For those needing proof of completion, the cost may feel high given the course's introductory nature and limited depth.
• Certificate: The credential adds value to resumes, especially for early-career professionals. However, it lacks industry-wide recognition compared to specialized certifications, limiting its standalone impact.
• Alternative: Free resources like TED Talks on leadership or HBR podcasts cover similar themes. But this course offers structure and guided learning, which self-directed options often lack, justifying enrollment for motivated learners.

Editorial Verdict

Managing Up is a solid, well-structured introduction to a frequently overlooked professional skill. It succeeds in demystifying the often awkward process of building strong relationships with superiors, offering practical tools for communication, feedback, and proactive engagement. While it doesn’t dive into advanced organizational theory or address every nuance of workplace politics, it delivers what it promises: a clear, accessible path to becoming a more effective, visible, and trusted team member. The course is particularly valuable for early-career professionals, recent graduates, or anyone transitioning into a new role where navigating leadership dynamics is crucial.

That said, learners should go in with realistic expectations. This isn’t a deep dive into leadership systems or a solution for toxic work environments. It’s a foundational course best paired with real-world practice and supplementary reading. The lack of advanced case studies and limited focus on remote work are notable gaps, but not dealbreakers. Overall, it’s a worthwhile investment for those seeking to enhance their workplace influence without overextending their budget or schedule. For its clarity, relevance, and practical focus, we recommend it as a stepping stone in professional development—especially when taken with intentional follow-up actions.