Building a Strong Relationship with Your Manager: A Guide for New Managers 

By Gerry Murray 

As a new manager, you’re now responsible for managing not just your team, but also your relationship with your own manager, colloquially known as your boss. This is one of the most critical relationships in your career. But how do you ensure it’s a positive and productive one? 
 
In this article, we’ll explore: 

• Why a strong relationship with your boss matters. 
• How to understand your boss’s priorities and communication style.
• Strategies to manage upward effectively — and avoid unnecessary “monkeys on your boss’s back.” 
   

Why Does Your Relationship with Your Boss Matter? 

Your success as a manager isn’t just about how well you lead your team — it’s also about how well you manage upward. A strong relationship with your boss can provide support, resources, and guidance when you need it most. Here’s why it’s essential: 

• Alignment: Your boss has a bigger picture view of the organization’s goals. Understanding their priorities ensures that your team is contributing to the right objectives. 
• Support: A boss who trusts you will provide the support and resources you need to lead effectively. They’ll be more likely to back you up in challenging situations. 
• Career Growth: Your boss can become a mentor or advocate, helping you advance your career. Building trust and proving your leadership capabilities can open doors to future opportunities. 
  

This relationship is a partnership, and like any partnership, it requires mutual respect and clear communication. 

How Can You Understand Your Boss’s Priorities and Communication Style? 

One of the first things you need to do as a new manager is figure out what matters most to your boss. Here are some questions to help you get a sense of their priorities: 

• What are their key goals? Understanding your boss’s top priorities helps you align your team’s work with the organization’s broader objectives. 
• What does success look like to them? Every manager has their own definition of success. Is it meeting deadlines, hitting financial targets, or building strong teams? Once you know, you can tailor your approach accordingly. 

Equally important is understanding how your boss prefers to communicate:

Do they like detailed reports or big-picture overviews? Some bosses want to know every detail, while others just need the highlights. Matching their communication style makes sure you’re providing the right information. 

• How often do they want updates? Clarify whether they expect daily updates, weekly check-ins, or less frequent reports. 
  

The better you understand how your boss operates, the smoother your working relationship will be.

What Strategies Will Help You Manage Upward Effectively?

Managing upward is an art. You need to make sure your boss has confidence in your abilities without constantly seeking their approval. Here are some strategies to help you do that: 

• Be Proactive: Anticipate your boss’s needs before they even have to ask. Provide regular updates on your team’s progress and let them know about potential issues early on. Being proactive shows initiative and builds trust. 
• Handle “Upward Delegation”: Avoid passing problems that you or your team should handle to your boss. As tempting as it may be to offload a tricky issue, doing so can undermine your credibility as a capable manager. Think of these problems as “monkeys” — your job is to handle them, not pass them upwards. If a challenge arises within your team, tackle it head-on and keep your boss informed about the solution, rather than dumping the issue in their lap. By solving problems before they reach your boss, you prove your leadership and problem-solving abilities. 
  

• Clarify Expectations: At the outset, have an honest conversation with your boss about their expectations — both for your team and for you as a leader. Are they comfortable with you making decisions independently, or do they want to be more involved? The clearer the expectations, the fewer surprises down the line.
  
• Manage Conflict Diplomatically: Disagreements happen, but how you handle them matters. Approach conflicts with your boss respectfully and be solution-focused. Acknowledge their perspective, propose compromises, and aim to keep the relationship strong. 
  
  

Master the Essentials

• Building a strong relationship with your manager ensures alignment with organizational goals, provides support, and opens doors for your career growth.
  
• Understand your boss’s priorities and communication style to keep them informed in the right way. 
  
• Be proactive, avoid passing your “monkeys” to your manager, clarify expectations, and handle conflicts diplomatically to manage your boss effectively.   
   

This article is adapted from our Team Leader Essentials program. To learn more about this program download our brochure or book a short call. 

Next Article: Understanding Customer Value: How Your Team’s Performance Impacts Success.

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