• 1. bcManaging UpwardDecember 1998Copyright© 1998 Bain & Company, Inc. Jacintha Peeris Author:Contributor:Dianna Magnani 1ManagingUpward
    • 2. AgendaUnderstanding the CTL’s Role Key Success Factors Taking a Proactive Approach Key Takeaways2ManagingUpward
    • 3. CTL vs. VP RoleThe CTL’s job is to run the case on a day-to-day basis. The VP’s job is to guide the overall relationship with the client and to step in at critical times to ensure the client’s success. Top of analytic pyramid Overall answer/implications; assigning work Day-to-day client issues Day-to-day PDTop of client pyramid Overall answer/implications Overall cause at client Exceptional (up or down) performance issuesCTL RoleVP Role3ManagingUpward
    • 4. Mutual DependenceThe relationship between a VP and a CTL is one of mutual dependence. Information Analysis/output Insights Proactive approach to work Commitment Dependability Trust, honesty, and open communicationFeedback and coaching Information on the client and the industry Priorities Resources Influence with client and within Bain Increasing responsibilities, challenging work Trust, honesty, and open communication What Your Supervisor Needs from YouWhat You Need from Your Supervisor4ManagingUpward
    • 5. Mutual SuccessThe CTL’s success will depend in part on his/her VP’s success. Your VP must succeed if you are to succeed Your VP will want you to succeed (as long as you want him/her to succeed) Your current VP has more input into your career than anyone else (more than you last VP, the senior management of the firm, the client, and former or current team members)5ManagingUpward
    • 6. CTL ObjectivesHelp Your VP WinMake Your VP RedundantandAs a CTL, your objectives are twofold:6ManagingUpward
    • 7. AgendaUnderstanding the CTL’s Role Key Success Factors Taking a Proactive Approach Key Takeaways7ManagingUpward
    • 8. Key Success FactorsVPs cite four key success factors for managing upward. Assume full responsibility for driving the value addition process Find the right role for the VP Collaborate with the VP to improve the output Communicate progress and issues in a clear and structured way8ManagingUpward
    • 9. Drive the Value Addition (1 of 2)The best way for a caseteam leader to control a case is to drive the value addition process. “I don’t expect my team leaders to be out ahead of me in terms of intellectual leadership, yet I do want them to continuously identify the broad set of issues to be addressed and explicitly test their importance.”Think about the big picture.“If I write the workplan, it’s bound to be more robust and cover non-critical path issues, because I won’t put the thought into focusing it.”Develop a hypothesis and a workplan to test it. Don’t expect (or let) the VP do it.“Caseteam leaders seem to think that I have all the answers. I’d like them to come to me and tell me what should be done.”“Search out feedback from the manager/VP, but drive the process yourself.”Comments from VPsStrategies9ManagingUpward
    • 10. Drive the Value Addition (2 of 2)“When given an assignment, CTLs mistakenly take it as a commandment, instead of asking, ‘How does it add value?’ or ‘Why are we doing this?’”Filter out bad ideas and prioritize good ones.“Caseteam leaders say ‘yes’ to everything, even stupid ‘creative’ ideas.”“The CTL needs to keep in mind what’s possible. If I ask for too much, he/she should be creative in prioritizing and redefining work to get to the answer efficiently.”“Don’t knowingly over commit - you are in a better position to assess what is doable.”Comments from VPsStrategies10ManagingUpward
    • 11. Find the Right Role for the VP (1 of 2)“Caseteam leaders on the edge of promotion try too hard to demonstrate they don’t need help.”Don’t try to do all the work yourself.“CTLs, driven by promotion angst, over-assume what their job is. They try to make everyone redundant.”“You’ll get no credit for trying to be a hero and doing it all yourself…find the right ways to fully involve your boss on the most important issues… collaboration will optimize the end product for everyone.”Comments from VPsStrategiesAs the driver of the value addition process, the caseteam leader is in a good position to suggest an appropriate role for the VP.11ManagingUpward
    • 12. Find the Right Role for the VP (2 of 2)“Define my role. You can’t do everything yourself. Part of the CTLs job is to figure out how to get maximum effectiveness out of the resources to crack the case.”Leverage the VP’s expertise.“CTLs consistently don’t consider how to use and leverage me, particularly in handling clients and reviewing material. I might not help with detailed analysis, but I know the overall client situation.”“CTLs do workplans well, but I can add value with the ultimate outputs (what we want the client to do).”Comments from VPsStrategies12ManagingUpward
    • 13. Collaborate“Offer a point of view but be a ‘sponge’ for coaching… Put forth your perspective (it’s important since you’ve had more time with the data and are presumably closer to the issues), but then accept input… Do not unfailingly defend your point of view - put it our there and then collaborate with your boss to optimize… Assume that your work will be improved, if it isn’t you’re not collaborating.”Be open to ideas.“My challenge to team leaders and managers is ‘put yourself in your VP’s shoes - think about how to help solve their issues (as you would a client’s). Too many people I work with are looking to me to solve their own problems with the work vs. coming to me having thought about alternative approaches to supporting my objectives or the client’s objectives.”Comments from VPsStrategiesPut yourself in your VP’s shoes.Caseteam leaders should work with VPs to improve their teams’ output.13ManagingUpward
    • 14. Communicate Progress and Issues“I like people to come back the day after a meeting and play back, ‘This is what I think you wanted.’”Update your VP frequently.“Manage my expectations through communications. I hate surprises. If I get nothing but reassuring phonemails, I know things aren’t going well.”Comments from VPsStrategiesBe honest about difficulties.By keeping the VP informed, the caseteam leader can minimize the chance that the VP will step in unexpectedly.“I want to know what’s going on regularly, particularly on client issues.”“CTLs always say everything is going great. I know nothing is ever perfect, so I have to root around and find problems.”“Please, no surprises.”14ManagingUpward
    • 15. AgendaUnderstanding the CTL’s Role Managing Upward Key Success Factors Taking a Proactive Approach Key Takeaways15ManagingUpward
    • 16. Take Responsibility*Paraphrased from The Servant as Leader by Robert GreenleafIt is less demanding to act based on a set of rules regarding what is expected than to consider your response individually It is easier to criticize a system than to work to improve itToo many people are obsessed with dissecting what is wrong rather than with seeking opportunities to improve the environment around them through their own thoughts and actions.* Take responsibility for managing your relationship with your VP.16ManagingUpward
    • 17. Agree Upon How the VP Should Manage YouReview assignments and deliverables and VP’s performance expectations For each assignment: assess your Development Level appraise your performance trajectory agree upon the most effective Situation Leadership style for managing you establish checkpointsAgree with your VP about how he/she should manage you. With your VP,17ManagingUpward
    • 18. Adjust Based on the CircumstancesYour VP’s style The length and strength of your relationship with your VP The nature of the case The urgency of the situationAdjust your degree and style of upward management based on the following factors:When in doubt, proceed with caution and focus on acting productively.18ManagingUpward
    • 19. AgendaUnderstanding the CTL’s Role Managing Upward Key Success Factors Taking a Proactive Approach Key Takeaways19ManagingUpward
    • 20. Key Takeaways (1 of 2)The CTL’s job is to run the case on a day-to-day basis. The VP’s job is to guide the overall relationship with the client and to step in at critical times to ensure the client’s success. The relationship between a CTL and a VP is one of mutual dependence; a CTL’s success depends in part on the VP’s success. The CTL’s objectives are to help the VP win and to make the VP redundant. VPs cite four key success factors for managing upward:1. Assume full responsibility for driving the value addition process. a. Think about the big picture. b. Develop an hypothesis and a workplan to test it. c. Filter out bad ideas and prioritize good ones. 2. Find the right role for the VP a. Don’t try to do all the work yourself. b. Leverage the VP’s expertise.20ManagingUpward
    • 21. Key Takeaways (2 of 2)CTLs must be proactive in managing their relationship with their VPs. Take responsibility for managing the relationship. Agree with your VP about how he/she should manage you in relation to each aspect of the work. Adjust your degree and style of upward management based on the circumstances.4. Communicate progress and issues in a clear and structured way. a. Update your VP frequently. b. Be honest about difficulties. 3. Collaborate with the VP to improve the output. a. Be open to ideas. b. Put yourself in your VP’s shoes.21ManagingUpward