In many organizations, leadership is viewed as a top-down process, where managers set the vision and employees execute. But all our interactions are influential. So why not lead up—build influence, garner recognition, and align more closely with your boss? How could you create a more harmonious, effective working relationship?

Leading up isn’t just about making yourself look good; it’s about adding value to your organization by fostering better communication and alignment.

Here are five actionable techniques, along with specific examples, to start leading up and becoming more recognized as a valuable contributor.

1. Understand Their Priorities and Pain Points

The foundation for leading up is to understand what drives your boss. What are their key performance indicators? What keeps them up at night? Understanding their priorities empowers you to frame your contributions in a way that resonates. This alignment makes you an invaluable asset because you are not just meeting expectations but anticipating and addressing their needs.

Context: Imagine your boss is under pressure to improve quarterly performance. By proactively offering solutions that directly tie into this goal—whether through streamlining processes or identifying new revenue streams—you position yourself as someone who alleviates their pain points. You’re not just executing tasks; you’re creating value in the context of their bigger picture.

Example Dialogue:
Employee: “Hey, I know one of the big focuses this quarter is increasing revenue from our digital products. I’ve noticed that we have several leads in our pipeline that haven’t been properly followed up. What if I dedicate time this week to revamping our outreach strategy and setting up touchpoints with those leads? I believe it could help boost our numbers before the quarter ends.”

Boss: “That’s a great idea. Thanks for recognizing the importance of those leads. Go ahead, and let me know if you need any additional resources.”

2. Provide Solutions, Not Just Problems

While it’s essential to communicate challenges that arise, simply bringing problems to your boss’s attention without offering potential solutions can diminish your perceived value. Instead, approach issues with at least one or two viable solutions. This not only shows initiative but also demonstrates that you are thinking critically and holistically about the organization’s success.

Context: Suppose a project is stalling due to resource constraints. Instead of merely alerting your boss, come prepared with suggestions for reallocating resources or adjusting timelines. You’re signaling that you’re a problem-solver, someone who can think on their feet and drive solutions, rather than adding more problems to their plate.

Example Dialogue:
Employee: “I wanted to discuss the project timeline with you. We’re running into some bottlenecks due to the availability of resources, but I have a couple of ideas. We could either temporarily bring on a contractor to assist with the workload, or we could push back the deadline by a week and reallocate resources from another department temporarily. Which option do you think would work best?”

Boss: “Good call on assessing the situation. I like the idea of bringing in a contractor. Let’s explore that and see how fast we can onboard someone.”

3. Communicate Effectively and Transparently

Effective communication is the cornerstone of leading up. This means keeping your boss informed of your progress, potential challenges, and insights without overwhelming them with unnecessary details. Knowing when and how to communicate is key to gaining trust and recognition.

Context: Set up regular check-ins to keep your boss updated on your work. But don’t just provide status updates—share insights about trends, opportunities, or risks. This kind of proactive communication will make your boss feel like they are not left in the dark and show that you are on top of your responsibilities, understanding priorities, and thinking ahead.

Example Dialogue:
Employee: “I wanted to give you a quick update on the marketing campaign. We’re on track with the deliverables, but I’ve noticed a trend in our analytics that I think is worth paying attention to. Our engagement rates are up, but our conversions are slightly lower than expected. I’ve got a couple of ideas to tweak our messaging for the next phase, and I wanted to get your input before proceeding.”

Boss: “Thanks for the heads-up and for staying on top of the analytics. Let’s review your ideas tomorrow and make sure we’re aligned before moving forward.”

4. Demonstrate Emotional Intelligence

One of the most underrated aspects of leading up is emotional intelligence (EQ). Being able to read the room, understand your boss’s emotional state, and adapt your behavior accordingly can significantly impact how you’re perceived. Empathy and emotional regulation help in building rapport, reducing friction, and fostering a more collaborative environment.

Context: If you sense that your boss is under significant stress, it may not be the best time to bring up a non-urgent issue. Instead, offer support or suggest ways you can help alleviate some of their workload. By showing empathy and awareness, you become a trusted confidant and collaborator, which elevates your position in their eyes.

Example Dialogue:
Employee: “I noticed that you’ve been juggling a lot of high-priority tasks lately. I’m happy to step in and handle the upcoming client meeting prep if that helps lighten your load. Let me know if there’s anything else I can take on as well.”

Boss: “I appreciate that. The client meeting prep has been on my mind. If you could handle it, that would definitely take something off my plate. Thank you.”

5. Take Ownership and Be Proactive

One of the most powerful ways to lead up is by taking ownership of your work. This means not waiting for instructions or direction but proactively identifying areas where you can add value and improve outcomes. When you take ownership, you show that you are not just a follower but a leader in your own right.

Context: Let’s say you notice that a particular process in your department could be more efficient. Rather than waiting for your boss to address it, take the initiative to research solutions and present a plan for improvement. This shows leadership, proactivity, and a commitment to excellence—qualities that are sure to get you noticed and valued.

Example Dialogue:
Employee: “I’ve been reviewing our internal reporting processes and noticed that we spend a lot of time on manual data entry. I researched a few automation tools that could cut our time by half. I’d love to walk you through my findings and propose a plan to implement one of these solutions to improve our efficiency.”

Boss: “That sounds like a great initiative. I’d love to hear more about the tools you’ve found and how they can benefit the team. Let’s set up a meeting to go over your proposal.”

Leading up is not about challenging authority or undermining your boss; it’s about supporting them in a way that drives mutual success. By aligning with their goals, offering solutions, communicating effectively, demonstrating emotional intelligence, and taking ownership, you position yourself as an indispensable part of their team. In doing so, you naturally gain more recognition and influence within the organization.

When you lead up effectively, you’re not just managing tasks—you’re leading your boss to a higher level of performance, and that’s where true value lies.

You may be thinking “not my boss”! True, many organizational leaders are still stuck in a rigid command and execute leadership style. But the majority are not, testing the waters may lead to pleasant surprises and vast improvements in your career.