Leading up, working to improve culture as a middle manager question

Submitted by David Johns
in
Management and Leadership

I'm a perpetual optimist, and it is my life's work to Equip, Encourage, and Enspire (I know it stats with and "I" but I needed 3Es for my life vision statement) others

I consider myself a multiplier

Currently I'm working with a senior level HR person who seems to be a diminisher according to Liz's definition

I'm doing my best to take the high road as Maxwell suggests. Sometime I reply with cheerful comments like "you're the best, thank you."

I worry that these comments might be taken the wrong way, and most of the time I think that this person really does not deserve such comments... (then I feel guilty for thinking that thought)

Can anyone offer any suggestions on how I could lead up?

Should I continue to be cheerful and optimistic

Giving out complements even when I feel like this person is doing a poor job as a senior manager? (but it's not my position to tell them that)

 

Submitted by Stephen Ibanez on Sunday August 11th, 2013 7:17 am

Everybody does something right and they appreciate when you acknowledge that.  Thanking someone for their efforts is a good habit to get into and can lead to long-term performance improvements.
I like to specify what I'm thanking the person for, rather than giving a general compliment.  I'll often thank a co-worker with something like "thank you for quickly resolving John's pay issue" rather than a generic "you're the best!"  The person in Payroll who made the mistake may not be the best, but you can certainly thank them if they did quickly resolve it.
Much like feedback, I believe compliments are much more effective when they're tied to specific behaviors.  In the beginning you may have to dig a little to find specific actions to thank some people for, and it will likely pay off down the road.
As for staying optimistic and cheerful - I think you absolutely should (possibly because that's my own approach).  I believe it is possible to stay optimistic, cheerful and frosty - all at the same time.  If you can't be realistic *and* be pleasant to be around, you're probably in the wrong place.
Steve
DiSC 7114

Submitted by Shane MacQuarrie on Sunday August 11th, 2013 11:19 am

Please also keep on mind that generic comments, "you're the best", often come off as platitudes that serve more to annoy when used too frequently.
If you can personalize them to specific actions, people will value them more when said.

Mac
7121

Submitted by Mike Bruns on Sunday August 11th, 2013 9:08 pm

Steve & Mac gave you good advice. One thing I'd like to add about your question on "Leading up"
You NEVER lead up. You lead by EXAMPLE and produce results. You then get PROMOTED UP to lead more people.  The cycle continues!  

Submitted by David Johns on Monday August 12th, 2013 7:50 am

Thank you for the help and support gents,
Let me practice what I've learned:
 
Steve, thank you for suggesting that I make my complements more specific. I think that is an excellent point and I will work to implement that immediately. 
 
Mac, I agree, generic comments being interpreted as sarcastic was something that concerned me as well. I think you are correct that being specific will help my comments to be seen as genuine. 
 
Mike, thanks for the encouragement to Lead by Example, and I'm looking forward to being Promoted up, so I can serve more people in my organization.
 
Have a blessed day Gents!
V/R
David Johns