Uploaded March 2025 | Updated September 2026, 3 days ago
Your to-do list is a mile long and your boss is juggling a million things at once, leaving you unsure of where to focus or what to prioritize. We have ALL been there.
The key to navigating this situation? Managing up.
Executive coach Melody Wilding says that managing up can help save your manager cognitive energy, while also getting you the clarity you need on next steps. Melody suggests starting by presenting your boss with binary choices:
“What I’ve gathered from our conversation is that you’re interested in Direction A and Direction B. Which one should be the top priority for me over the next month?”
In organizations where everything feels urgent, this approach can make all the difference in ensuring you're aligned and focused on what really matters. You walk away knowing what to prioritize and avoid the vague, 10 minute TED talk from your boss!
For more tips and tricks for managing up from Melody Wilding, check out her full conversation with Jessi Hempel on Hello Monday.
Watch on YouTube: bit.ly/melodywilding-hm-youtube
Listen on Apple: bit.ly/melodywilding-hm-apple
Listen on Spotify: bit.ly/melodywilding-hm-spotify
Your to-do list is a mile long and your boss is juggling a million things at once, leaving you unsure of where to focus or what to prioritize. We have ALL been there.
The key to navigating this situation? Managing up.
Executive coach Melody Wilding says that managing up can help save your manager cognitive energy, while also getting you the clarity you need on next steps. Melody suggests starting by presenting your boss with binary choices:
“What I’ve gathered from our conversation is that you’re interested in Direction A and Direction B. Which one should be the top priority for me over the next month?”
In organizations where everything feels urgent, this approach can make all the difference in ensuring you're aligned and focused on what really matters. You walk away knowing what to prioritize and avoid the vague, 10 minute TED talk from your boss!
For more tips and tricks for managing up from Melody Wilding, check out her full conversation with Jessi Hempel on Hello Monday.
Watch on YouTube: bit.ly/melodywilding-hm-youtube
Listen on Apple: bit.ly/melodywilding-hm-apple
Listen on Spotify: bit.ly/melodywilding-hm-spotify
