⬆️ Managing Up

Strategic guides to navigating the most consequential relationship in your career — the one with your boss. These books teach the subtle art of influence, communication, and alignment with those who hold authority over your work.

The Effective Executive

by Peter F. Drucker • 1966

The difference between a busy executive and an effective one: five habits, zero charisma required.

4.08

38k+

📋 Executive Effectiveness 🕰️ Time Management 🧭 Decision Making 💪 Strengths-Based Leadership 🎯 Prioritization

The Effective Executive

The difference between a busy executive and an effective one: five habits, zero charisma required.

by Peter F. Drucker 1966

4.08

38k+ ratings

📋 Executive Effectiveness 🕰️ Time Management 🧭 Decision Making 💪 Strengths-Based Leadership 🎯 Prioritization

Influence Without Authority

by Allan R. Cohen • 1989

Trade what they value for what you need: the systematic model for leading without a title.

3.54

743

🤝 Lateral Leadership 🔄 Reciprocity 🏛️ Organizational Politics 🗺️ Stakeholder Management ⚡ Power Dynamics

Influence Without Authority

Trade what they value for what you need: the systematic model for leading without a title.

by Allan R. Cohen 1989

3.54

743 ratings

🤝 Lateral Leadership 🔄 Reciprocity 🏛️ Organizational Politics 🗺️ Stakeholder Management ⚡ Power Dynamics

Carlo Ancelotti

by Carlo Ancelotti • 2016

Manage up, build family culture, trust stars: the soft skills that won four Champions Leagues.

4.04

4k+

⚽ Football Management 🤝 Relational Leadership 🏛️ Organizational Culture ⭐ Talent Management 🧠 Emotional Intelligence

Carlo Ancelotti

Manage up, build family culture, trust stars: the soft skills that won four Champions Leagues.

by Carlo Ancelotti 2016

4.04

4k+ ratings

⚽ Football Management 🤝 Relational Leadership 🏛️ Organizational Culture ⭐ Talent Management 🧠 Emotional Intelligence

HBR Guide to Office Politics

by Karen Dillon • 2014

Ignore office politics and they still win. How to play the game without becoming a player.

3.77

756

🏢 Office Politics 🔄 Workplace Dynamics 🛑 Workplace Bullying 💬 Difficult Conversations 📊 Career Advancement

HBR Guide to Office Politics

Ignore office politics and they still win. How to play the game without becoming a player.

by Karen Dillon 2014

3.77

756 ratings

🏢 Office Politics 🔄 Workplace Dynamics 🛑 Workplace Bullying 💬 Difficult Conversations 📊 Career Advancement

The 360 Degree Leader

by John C. Maxwell • 2006

Influence doesn't require a title. A playbook for leading from the middle.

4.16

8k+

🧭 Influence Without Authority 🧹 Servant Leadership 🌱 Leadership Development 🤝 Peer Collaboration 🧑‍💼 New Managers

The 360 Degree Leader

Influence doesn't require a title. A playbook for leading from the middle.

by John C. Maxwell 2006

4.16

8k+ ratings

🧭 Influence Without Authority 🧹 Servant Leadership 🌱 Leadership Development 🤝 Peer Collaboration 🧑‍💼 New Managers

Surrounded by Bad Bosses and Lazy Employees

by Thomas Erikson • 2018

Four personality types that explain why bosses micromanage and coworkers disappear, and what to say.

3.57

2k+

👥 Office Personalities 💡 Motivation Drivers 💬 Feedback Skills 📊 Disc Profiles 🏛️ Workplace Culture

Surrounded by Bad Bosses and Lazy Employees

Four personality types that explain why bosses micromanage and coworkers disappear, and what to say.

by Thomas Erikson 2018

3.57

2k+ ratings

👥 Office Personalities 💡 Motivation Drivers 💬 Feedback Skills 📊 Disc Profiles 🏛️ Workplace Culture

Leading from the Middle

by Scott Mautz • 2021

Influence doesn't live in the corner office. It lives in the middle. Here's the playbook.

3.55

397

🏢 Middle Management 🗣️ Coaching And Feedback 🔄 Change Management 🤝 Influencing Without Authority 💙 Servant Leadership

Leading from the Middle

Influence doesn't live in the corner office. It lives in the middle. Here's the playbook.

by Scott Mautz 2021

3.55

397 ratings

🏢 Middle Management 🗣️ Coaching And Feedback 🔄 Change Management 🤝 Influencing Without Authority 💙 Servant Leadership

How to Talk to Anyone at Work

by Leil Lowndes • 2018

72 workplace scripts: how to enter a room, handle a micromanager, and defuse any complainer.

3.54

360

💼 Workplace Communication 🏢 Office Politics 🧍 Body Language 👂 Listening Skills 🎤 Presentation Skills

How to Talk to Anyone at Work

72 workplace scripts: how to enter a room, handle a micromanager, and defuse any complainer.

by Leil Lowndes 2018

3.54

360 ratings

💼 Workplace Communication 🏢 Office Politics 🧍 Body Language 👂 Listening Skills 🎤 Presentation Skills

Dealing with Difficult People

by Harvard Business Review • 2007

Diagnose conflict before you act: hot fights and cold shoulders each need a different playbook.

3.66

1k+

💥 Workplace Conflict 💬 Difficult Conversations 🧊 Passive Aggression 🧠 Emotional Intelligence 🏛️ Harvard Business Review

Dealing with Difficult People

Diagnose conflict before you act: hot fights and cold shoulders each need a different playbook.

by Harvard Business Review 2007

3.66

1k+ ratings

💥 Workplace Conflict 💬 Difficult Conversations 🧊 Passive Aggression 🧠 Emotional Intelligence 🏛️ Harvard Business Review

Managing Your Manager

by Gonzague Dufour • 2010

Six boss types, one playbook: turn the manager you have into the career you want.

3.52

132

♟️ Office Politics 😤 Difficult Bosses 🎭 Boss Personalities 📈 Career Advancement 💬 Work Communication

Managing Your Manager

Six boss types, one playbook: turn the manager you have into the career you want.

by Gonzague Dufour 2010

3.52

132 ratings

♟️ Office Politics 😤 Difficult Bosses 🎭 Boss Personalities 📈 Career Advancement 💬 Work Communication

HBR Guide to Getting the Mentoring You Need

by Harvard Business Review • 2011

One mentor stalls careers. Build a network, run the agenda, and earn sponsorship by giving value.

3.79

228

🤝 Mentorship 📈 Career Development 🎖️ Sponsorship 🪞 Self-Assessment 🎯 Goal-Setting

HBR Guide to Getting the Mentoring You Need

One mentor stalls careers. Build a network, run the agenda, and earn sponsorship by giving value.

by Harvard Business Review 2011

3.79

228 ratings

🤝 Mentorship 📈 Career Development 🎖️ Sponsorship 🪞 Self-Assessment 🎯 Goal-Setting

The Introverted Leader

by Jennifer B. Kahnweiler • 2009

Leading when people drain you. A practical system that works with introvert wiring, not against it.

3.28

1k+

🫧 Introvert Leadership 🧠 Temperament Psychology 🔋 Energy Management 📋 Meeting Strategies 🤝 Strategic Networking

The Introverted Leader

Leading when people drain you. A practical system that works with introvert wiring, not against it.

by Jennifer B. Kahnweiler 2009

3.28

1k+ ratings

🫧 Introvert Leadership 🧠 Temperament Psychology 🔋 Energy Management 📋 Meeting Strategies 🤝 Strategic Networking

The 360 Degree Leader Workbook

by John C. Maxwell • 2006

Most leadership happens from the middle. A playbook for influencing up, down, and across.

4.13

167

🏢 Middle Management 🏛️ Organizational Leadership 🫡 Servant Leadership 🧠 Self-Leadership 🗣️ Influence Building

The 360 Degree Leader Workbook

Most leadership happens from the middle. A playbook for influencing up, down, and across.

by John C. Maxwell 2006

4.13

167 ratings

🏢 Middle Management 🏛️ Organizational Leadership 🫡 Servant Leadership 🧠 Self-Leadership 🗣️ Influence Building

The Motivation Code

by Todd Henry • 2020

Your motivation isn't built: it's revealed. A diagnostic for the three drives that run you.

3.69

195

🧭 Intrinsic Motivation 🧩 Personality Typology ✂️ Job Crafting 🔋 Burnout Prevention 🌟 Career Fulfillment

The Motivation Code

Your motivation isn't built: it's revealed. A diagnostic for the three drives that run you.

by Todd Henry 2020

3.69

195 ratings

🧭 Intrinsic Motivation 🧩 Personality Typology ✂️ Job Crafting 🔋 Burnout Prevention 🌟 Career Fulfillment

Who Gets Promoted, Who Doesn't, and Why

by Donald Asher • 2007

Promotions bet on your next act, not your past. How to get the timing right.

3.95

611

🪜 Career Advancement 🗳️ Workplace Politics 🤝 Strategic Networking 📢 Self-Promotion 🗺️ Career Planning

Who Gets Promoted, Who Doesn't, and Why

Promotions bet on your next act, not your past. How to get the timing right.

by Donald Asher 2007

3.95

611 ratings

🪜 Career Advancement 🗳️ Workplace Politics 🤝 Strategic Networking 📢 Self-Promotion 🗺️ Career Planning

Bet on Yourself

by Ann Hiatt • 2021

A year at Jeff Bezos's side, twelve as Eric Schmidt's chief: the career formula she earned.

3.79

299

📈 Career Advancement 🎭 Imposter Syndrome 🧱 Building Resilience 🚀 Moonshot Thinking 💻 Silicon Valley Culture

Bet on Yourself

A year at Jeff Bezos's side, twelve as Eric Schmidt's chief: the career formula she earned.

by Ann Hiatt 2021

3.79

299 ratings

📈 Career Advancement 🎭 Imposter Syndrome 🧱 Building Resilience 🚀 Moonshot Thinking 💻 Silicon Valley Culture

Career Warfare

by David F. D'Alessandro • 1955

Great work isn't enough. Ten rules for the reputation game that actually decides your career.

3.82

562

🏛️ Corporate Politics 💼 Personal Branding 📈 Career Advancement 🪑 Office Dynamics 🏗️ Workplace Culture

Career Warfare

Great work isn't enough. Ten rules for the reputation game that actually decides your career.

by David F. D'Alessandro 1955

3.82

562 ratings

🏛️ Corporate Politics 💼 Personal Branding 📈 Career Advancement 🪑 Office Dynamics 🏗️ Workplace Culture

How to Work for an Idiot, Revised and Expanded with More Idiots, More Insanity, and More Incompetency

by John Hoover • 2003

Outmaneuver the idiot in charge: keep your job, keep your sanity, and still get ahead.

3.14

309

😤 Difficult Bosses 🏢 Office Politics 🛡️ Workplace Survival 🗣️ Workplace Communication 😂 Workplace Humor

How to Work for an Idiot, Revised and Expanded with More Idiots, More Insanity, and More Incompetency

Outmaneuver the idiot in charge: keep your job, keep your sanity, and still get ahead.

by John Hoover 2003

3.14

309 ratings

😤 Difficult Bosses 🏢 Office Politics 🛡️ Workplace Survival 🗣️ Workplace Communication 😂 Workplace Humor

The Missing README

by Chris Riccomini • 2021

Ship code safely, survive on-call, and manage your boss: the handbook no bootcamp assigns.

4.40

437

🛠️ Software Engineering 🧑‍💻 New Engineers 🧪 Code Quality 🔁 Devops Culture 🔄 Agile Methodologies

The Missing README

Ship code safely, survive on-call, and manage your boss: the handbook no bootcamp assigns.

by Chris Riccomini 2021

4.40

437 ratings

🛠️ Software Engineering 🧑‍💻 New Engineers 🧪 Code Quality 🔁 Devops Culture 🔄 Agile Methodologies

Self Leadership and the One Minute Manager

by Kenneth H. Blanchard • 2017

The gap between being empowered and getting results: learn to diagnose your needs and ask.

4.23

557

📈 Career Development 🧠 Overcoming Self-Doubt 🎯 Skill Acquisition 🤝 Asking For Help 🗣️ Influence

Self Leadership and the One Minute Manager

The gap between being empowered and getting results: learn to diagnose your needs and ask.

by Kenneth H. Blanchard 2017

4.23

557 ratings

📈 Career Development 🧠 Overcoming Self-Doubt 🎯 Skill Acquisition 🤝 Asking For Help 🗣️ Influence

Powerful Phrases for Dealing with Difficult People

by Renée Evenson • 2013

Scripted lines for tough workplace conflicts, delivered calmly without burning bridges.

3.39

1k+

💼 Workplace Communication 🤝 Conflict Resolution 💬 Difficult Conversations ✋ Assertiveness Training 👀 Nonverbal Communication

Powerful Phrases for Dealing with Difficult People

Scripted lines for tough workplace conflicts, delivered calmly without burning bridges.

by Renée Evenson 2013

3.39

1k+ ratings

💼 Workplace Communication 🤝 Conflict Resolution 💬 Difficult Conversations ✋ Assertiveness Training 👀 Nonverbal Communication

Seen, Heard, and Paid

by Alan Henry • 2022

For underrepresented professionals: the tasks that actually get you promoted and the ones to refuse.

4.08

116

📈 Career Advancement 🌐 Marginalized Professionals 📋 Non-Promotable Tasks 👁️ Visibility At Work 💰 Salary Negotiation

Seen, Heard, and Paid

For underrepresented professionals: the tasks that actually get you promoted and the ones to refuse.

by Alan Henry 2022

4.08

116 ratings

📈 Career Advancement 🌐 Marginalized Professionals 📋 Non-Promotable Tasks 👁️ Visibility At Work 💰 Salary Negotiation

Invaluable

by Maya Grossman • 2020

Ten skills that move you from task-completer to indispensable; no networking or luck required.

4.05

177

🚀 Career Advancement 🎯 Personal Accountability 🧠 Strategic Thinking ✅ Prioritization 📚 Lifelong Learning

Invaluable

Ten skills that move you from task-completer to indispensable; no networking or luck required.

by Maya Grossman 2020

4.05

177 ratings

🚀 Career Advancement 🎯 Personal Accountability 🧠 Strategic Thinking ✅ Prioritization 📚 Lifelong Learning

Brazen Careerist

by Penelope Trunk • 2007

Cold-calling, managing up, and why your twenties demand risk: career rules for the impatient.

3.41

236

🎯 Career Strategy 🌱 Early Career 🔍 Job Hunting 💰 Salary Negotiation 🏢 Office Politics

Brazen Careerist

Cold-calling, managing up, and why your twenties demand risk: career rules for the impatient.

by Penelope Trunk 2007

3.41

236 ratings

🎯 Career Strategy 🌱 Early Career 🔍 Job Hunting 💰 Salary Negotiation 🏢 Office Politics

Behind Closed Doors

by Johanna Rothman • 2005

Saying no, coaching honestly, and building real trust: the learnable skills behind every great team.

3.98

1k+

🧑‍💼 People Management 🤝 Team Leadership 🗣️ Coaching Employees 📋 Delegation Skills 🔗 Systems Thinking

Behind Closed Doors

Saying no, coaching honestly, and building real trust: the learnable skills behind every great team.

by Johanna Rothman 2005

3.98

1k+ ratings

🧑‍💼 People Management 🤝 Team Leadership 🗣️ Coaching Employees 📋 Delegation Skills 🔗 Systems Thinking

Great on the Job

by Jodi Glickman • 2011

The workplace scripts nobody teaches: asking for help, raising red flags, managing up.

3.69

299

🗣️ Workplace Communication 🌱 Early Career Advice 📢 Self-Advocacy 🔄 Feedback Skills 📈 Career Development

Great on the Job

The workplace scripts nobody teaches: asking for help, raising red flags, managing up.

by Jodi Glickman 2011

3.69

299 ratings

🗣️ Workplace Communication 🌱 Early Career Advice 📢 Self-Advocacy 🔄 Feedback Skills 📈 Career Development

Get Better at Getting Better

by Chandramouli Venkatesan • 2019

Talent and effort have limits. Your personal system for improvement does not. Here is the blueprint.

4.24

306

🚀 Career Acceleration 🔄 Personal Kaizen 🎯 Deliberate Practice 🗺️ Strategic Thinking 🧠 Learning Transfer

Get Better at Getting Better

Talent and effort have limits. Your personal system for improvement does not. Here is the blueprint.

by Chandramouli Venkatesan 2019

4.24

306 ratings

🚀 Career Acceleration 🔄 Personal Kaizen 🎯 Deliberate Practice 🗺️ Strategic Thinking 🧠 Learning Transfer

The New Executive Assistant

by Jonathan McIlroy • 2018

Move beyond calendar management: how to become the person your executive can't operate without.

3.86

🏢 Executive Support 📈 Career Advancement 🤝 Trust Building 🎯 Priority Management 🔗 Stakeholder Management

The New Executive Assistant

Move beyond calendar management: how to become the person your executive can't operate without.

by Jonathan McIlroy 2018

3.86

37 ratings

🏢 Executive Support 📈 Career Advancement 🤝 Trust Building 🎯 Priority Management 🔗 Stakeholder Management

Como lidar com a política no trabalho

by Karen Dillon • 2018

Navigate office politics: disarm bullies, claim credit, turn rivals into allies.

3.57

🏢 Office Politics ⚔️ Workplace Conflict 🗣️ Self-Advocacy 🛡️ Workplace Bullying 👔 New Managers

Como lidar com a política no trabalho

Navigate office politics: disarm bullies, claim credit, turn rivals into allies.

by Karen Dillon 2018

3.57

30 ratings

🏢 Office Politics ⚔️ Workplace Conflict 🗣️ Self-Advocacy 🛡️ Workplace Bullying 👔 New Managers

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