Do you get what you want from the people in charge?

If not, you’re not alone.

This week on the Speak Like a CEO pod, I have a game-changing conversation with the brilliant Melody Wilding, LMSW about her brand new book “Managing Up.”

She shares her no-nonsense approach to navigating the power dynamics at play in every organization.

Here are some key insights that resonated with me:

🔑 Alignment is everything: Understand your boss’s priorities (and their boss’s!) to ensure your efforts are truly impactful.

Surface-level questions won’t cut it – dig deeper into their metrics and budget.

🗣️ Know their communication style: Are they a big-picture cheerleader or a detail-oriented controller?

Tailor your communication to their preferences for better connection and understanding.

🛡️ Boundaries are not a barrier: Learn the art of the “positive no” and the trade-off approach to manage workload without sacrificing team spirit.

🚀 Advancement is a conversation, not a waiting game: Start early and be explicit about your ambitions.

Understand what your leader needs to see for you to reach the next level.

💰 Money talks – strategically: Focus on the ROI you bring to the organization, not just your personal needs. Frame your compensation requests in terms of future contributions.

⬆️ Feedback flows both ways: Use the ABC framework (Assumption, Behavior, Change) to deliver constructive feedback to your superiors in a clear and actionable way.

Melody’s advice is practical, powerful, and will shift your perspective on how to navigate the workplace.

Give this episode a listen and start taking control of your professional trajectory.