Quote of the week

“Done well, however, managing the boss becomes an essential platform for then leading the boss. Once the chief knows that a manager brings judgment and gets results, the way is clear for the manager to help lead the chief. But what that requires is a boss who wants it and a manager who can deliver it. Leading up requires an ability to work in two directions at once, of both stepping into the breach and listening to those below you before you step off a cliff yourself."

--Michael Useem, “Leading Your Boss,” The Economic Times, India, November 13, 2003

Leading Up--The Relationship of Managing Your Boss

by Mary Beth Matteo, Founding Director of the S. Dale High Center

No matter what our position in the hierarchy, we all have the capacity and the responsibility to lead.


When it comes to the family business—especially when Dad might be the boss—this sometimes looks more difficult than it is.

One of the best books around on "Leading Up," is Michael Useem’s Leading Up: How To Lead Your Boss So You Both Win, published by Random House in 2001. Useem, who is a faculty member at The Wharton School, draws examples from major corporations such as CBS, British Airways and Charles Schwabb & Company, as well as case studies from the Marine Corps, political figures and even a chapter “Persuading the Ultimate Authority”—Abraham and Moses intercede with God himself!

A few topics from Useem: “Informing Your Commander”, “Designing a Future Your Boss Can’t Quite Envision,” “Keeping Your head When You Have Several Superiors,” and “Guiding Your Guide.”

For more information and more resources on Leading Up, check out Useem’s website. For sample chapters from Leading Up, click here.

Sum & Substance: If you aren't helping your leaders lead, many good ideas with potential benefit to your family business can die on the vine. It's not always easy to lead up, but the results can be worth the effort.