[andyidsinga]

Here's my strategy whenever I have 1:1's or hallway "walking conversations" with execs/GMs that are at least 2 levels above me:

1) try to teach them something new or interesting that has been learned that they can add to their box of tricks/intel that they can pull out later in other conversations. Include people/orgs that are involved. Include observed successes/failures.

The goal is that when they leave the conversation - they've learned something - and they've pegged you as someone who has something interesting to share.

2) avoid status reporting - that can move up through the regular chain of command.

3) discuss side projects or other things orthogonal to the immediate business - but that might be value to another or future part of the business.

4) avoid too much of the "idea guy" stuff - keep the things talked about to things that are real and tangible. I'v'e found that idea's that often seem grand and cool to me on reflection appear rather naive and unattainable.

..take all of the above with some salt - your millage may vary.

[wjossey]

All good thoughts on managing up for sure, which is definitely a component of becoming a good leader. How you’re able to influence those “above” you can drastically impact your team and their effectiveness. This is one of those traits that sometimes your team doesn’t know you have, but gives them direct and tangible benefit almost “magically”.

[pault]

> try to teach them something new or interesting that has been learned that they can add to their box of tricks/intel that they can pull out later in other conversations.

I'm trying to think of what such a thing might be and coming up short. Could you expand on that with a simple example?

[andyidsinga]

"I watched this YouTube video on X, it was interesting because..."

"talked to my buddy who works for X they did this thing _____ ...big mistake"

"I've been collecting articles about ______, interesting trends X,Y..."

edit: another good one: "I went to meetup, talked to a bunch of people and heard some interesting experiences with _______"