Managing doesn’t mean smoking, listening to all the whims of your boss, defending yourself with disagreements, or bending backwards to make your leader happy. At the very least, according to Melody Wilding, author of Managing Up: How to What To What What What What What Whing is from a Rep, it shouldn’t be better.
Instead, she defines managing as “strategically navigating relationships with people who have more positional power than you – your boss.” “This is a key skill set for manipulating our daily work life through the complex web of power dynamics, conversations and verbal expectations.”
Wilding has written the book based on her own experience and expertise as a therapist, human behavior professor, and executive coach working with thousands of experts, including Google, Amazon and other Fortune 500 companies.
“It’s for those who are interested in getting more confidence, more control and compensation in the workplace,” she says. Rather than teaching you to kiss your boss, you say it is “teaching people above you to cherish your ideas and treat you with respect.”
CNBC tends to be ambitious professionals who want to be happier, smarter and more successful in money, work and life. And Wilding, one of our contributors, has keen insight and super-actional advice, especially when it comes to workplace dynamics and communication. That’s why we chose “Manage” as our September Book Club Pick.
Wilding breaks down all 10 important conversations you need with your boss, from alignment and communication styles to progress and money. She shares practical strategies and accurate scripts to “get the respect and recognition that you deserve.”
“If you know what will tick your boss,” she writes.
Ready to jump in? Start reading, requesting to join a LinkedIn group and chat with us and get wild at the upcoming CNBC Make IT Book Club discussion on Wednesday, October 1st at 10am ET.
Do you have any questions for the author? Drop them into the comments in this LinkedIn post (you must first join our private group. This can be done here). Alternatively, please email us in advance at askkmakeit@cnbc.com using the subject line “Melody Wilding Questions.”
Want to move forward? The October pick is “Five Types of Wealth: A Transformational Guide to Designing a Dream Life with Sahil Bloom.”
Do you have any suggestions for future picks? Use the subject and submit them at askkmakeit@cnbc.com.
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