Watering Trees (Managing Up vs. Managing Down)

When you want to get ahead, your inclination is to please your boss. And their boss. And everyone above you. This assumes that your organization wants you to be successful, individually, above all else. And it's wrong.

Your organization actually wants you to manage down more than you manage up. That means spending time growing future leaders, nurturing talent, providing transparent and immediate feedback, and doing all the other hard but necessary things your team needs. It takes time, requires courage and means your efforts won't be immediately rewarded by your leadership.

When you spend all your time watering the top of the tree, don't be surprised if it doesn't grow the way you want. Water the roots so they can spread. The tree will be stronger, healthier and less likely to collapse.

The top of the tree gets the sun anyway.