26th April, 2022

How to Manage Upwards (and Sideways)

With Rachel Morris

Dr Rachel Morris

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On this episode

Every workplace has a hierarchy. Whether you are a trainee, a colleague, or a boss (or all three!), the hierarchy can influence everything from everyday working practices to relational dynamics. However, sometimes, it can feel much harder communicating upwards than down. Factors like fear and under-confidence can lead you to speak up less and be more hesitant to discuss issues. But building trust, and putting your voice out there will benefit your team as well as you.

Today, we have two guests on You are Not a Frog: Dr Claire Edwin and Dr Keerthini Muthuswamy. They talk about their experiences working within a hierarchical system as junior doctors and share what they have found to be essential if you want to build trust and foster good relationships with your seniors, your juniors, and your peers.

If you want to know how you can build trust and influence your workplace, and manage upwards and sideways this episode is just for you!

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Reasons to listen

  1. Find out why a hierarchy can be both a help and a hindrance.
  2. Overcome the barriers set down by hierarchies to influence your workplace for the better.
  3. Learn how to approach conversations and which questions you can ask to build trust and good relationships with your colleagues.

Episode highlights

04:56

The Impact of a Title

07:08

The Impact of a Hierarchy

09:58

The “I’m Just a Trainee” Mentality

14:46

Build Trust and Influence

18:24

The Real Problem

27:46

Asking and Conversing

36:21

What Creates Good Working Relationships

43:57

Relationships and Influence

46:12

Kit and Claire’s Top Three Tips for Managing Horizontally

48:01

Rachel’s Top Tips for Managing Upwards and Sideways

Episode transcript

I think you can think of influencing as a form of negotiation. And that can really help, especially when influencing upwards because actually, often it is that mental block of thinking about the person and what position they’re in. But actually, if you can think about the issue that you’re trying to influence on and why it’s important, then that’s more important than focusing on the person and worrying about what they might think of you. Rachel Morris: Do you have a boss, or a team of partners, or colleagues, who you’re definitely not the boss of? Does getting everyone…

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