Lead Your Boss

About the Author

John Baldoni is an internationally recognized leadership consultant, speaker, and author. His expertise lies in helping individuals and organizations develop effective leadership skills. Baldoni has written numerous books, including Lead by Example and Great Communication Secrets of Great Leaders, which are well-regarded in the field of leadership development. His approach combines practical advice with inspirational insights, making complex concepts accessible to a broad audience. In Lead Your Boss: The Subtle Art of Managing Up, Baldoni explores the nuanced art of influencing those in higher positions within an organization, providing readers with tools and strategies to enhance their leadership capabilities.

Main Idea

Lead Your Boss introduces the concept of "managing up," a vital skill for anyone aspiring to lead effectively from within an organization. Managing up involves influencing one's superiors by demonstrating leadership qualities such as integrity, empathy, resilience, and strategic thinking. Baldoni emphasizes that leadership is not confined to those at the top of the hierarchy; rather, it is about taking initiative, communicating effectively, and working towards the collective success of the organization. The book encourages readers to step up and lead, regardless of their official position, by aligning their actions with the organization's goals and values.

Table of Contents

1. Prologue
2. What Does the Leader Need?
3. What Does the Team Need?
4. What Can I Do to Help the Leader and the Team Succeed?

Prologue

In the prologue, Baldoni sets the stage by illustrating the necessity of proactive leadership in situations where organizational direction may be unclear. He presents a scenario where an employee takes initiative to develop a strategic resource allocation plan in response to budget cuts and the lack of action from their boss. This example underscores the essence of "leading up"—taking responsibility and acting in the best interest of the organization even when it's not explicitly required. Baldoni argues that this kind of proactive behavior is essential for those in middle management roles who aim to make a significant impact.

"Leading your boss is really a metaphor for leading from the middle. Those who lead from the middle are those who think big picture and can do what it takes to get things done so their bosses and their teams succeed." - John Baldoni

What Does the Leader Need?

This section explores the qualities and actions necessary for leading up effectively. Baldoni emphasizes the importance of understanding what leaders above you need and how to fulfill those needs while also advancing your own leadership potential. Key attributes include: