Clear-headed advice on how people at all levels in organizations can overcome the barriers to having their ideas heard by their managers and top decision-makers.
Much has been written about communicating within organizations but relatively little on the critical skill of communicating upward. Green and Knippen, experts in employee motivation and performance, show how essential it is to the success of an organization, public or private, for employees to get their ideas up the ladder and into the hands of the top decision-makers. Their book outlines more than 40 specific upward communication needs and offers a structure that will ensure that the movement of ideas upward actually takes place. Unique in that it provides concrete advice for executives, managers, and employees alike, the book is especially important for human resource specialists, people engaged in training and developing the managers of tomorrow and contributing to the organization's success today.
Green and Knippen are quick to identify the barriers to communication of any kind, and particularly the special barriers that inhibit the flow of ideas upward. They provide readers with concrete advice, not only on what to communicate upward but the essential skills of how to do it. They maintain that knowing both what to communicate and how to communicate are the most crucial talents that one can have, and yes, they can be taught. But not only do they help people in their careers, they also help people take control of their lives off the job as well. Those who want to improve these essential skills and in doing so get along better with people in higher level positions will find much wisdom here, in a readable, engaging presentation, and a thoughtful look at what they must do first, and do now.
Preface
Getting Along with Management
Introduction
Choosing to Communicate Upward
Understanding Managers
What Motivates Managers
Every Manager Has a Style
Managers and Pet Peeves
Reading Managers
Dealing with Problem Managers
Nobody's Perfect
Responding to Unfair Performance Appraisals
How to Get Managers to Stop Checking Up
Dealing with Information-Hoarding Managers
Working with Perfectionist Managers
Handling Problems with Two Managers
Giving Positive Reinforcement to Managers
Clarifying Expectations
Dealing with Insecure Managers
Surviving Incompetent Managers
Overcoming Intimidating Managers
When Managers Won't Change
Asking Managers
The Business of Asking Managers
Asking for a Raise
How to Ask for More Interesting Work
How to Ask for and Get More Responsibility
Asking Not to be Bypassed
Asking to be Managed Differently
Asking for Positive Reinforcement
Developing a Mentoring Relationship
When More Resources Are Needed
How to Get Feedback
Asking Not to be Overworked
Helping Managers
Helping Managers Make Better Decisions
Getting Faster Decisions
Dealing with Managers Who Decide too Fast
Communicating Successes
Communicating Failures
Responding to Change
How to Receive Feedback
Handling Criticism
Being Late for Work
Being a Better Team Player
Showing Loyalty
Accepting Authority and Responsibility
If Everything Fails
Selected Bibliography
Index
