Academic Leadership

Academic Leadership: Fundamental Building Blocks

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10.2 Influencing Your Line Manager...................................................................................

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Your ability to influence others, including your line manager, is an important part of the

Broker role. According to research by Gabarro and Kotter (2005/1980), employees who

believe they need to manage their relationship with their managers, and who take a

somewhat strategic approach in doing so, enjoy greater job satisfaction, effectiveness

and career success than those who think it is solely the line manager's responsibility to

manage them. As an Academic Coordinator you will need to establish a good working

relationship with your line manager. An important part of this relationship will be your

ability to influence your line manager.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this activity is to improve your ability to

influence your line manager.

The benefits of improving your relationship with your line manager, usually your

Head of School, are many. You can reduce your physical and mental stress, increase

your opportunities for recognition and promotion, and make it easier for yourself and

your team to implement your ideas. Your self confidence and motivation will improve

and your job satisfaction will increase. A good working relationship with your line

manager will also help you to anticipate and avoid potential problems.

If you are to improve your relationship with your line manager, and your influence

with them, it is important not to fall into the trap of blaming them, ‘the system’ or ‘the

University for the problems. By apportioning blame, we very often absolve ourselves of

any responsibility for finding a solution. Hence, managing upwards puts some

responsibility back on you to ensure that you can work towards solutions. Your

effectiveness as an Academic Coordinator will be greatly enhanced.

Activity

The following three questionnaires can be used to conduct an audit of your relationship

with your Head of School or other line manager. They will also help you to identify what

action you need to take to improve your influence with them.

Understanding Your Line Manager

Do you know your line managers goals and priorities (professional and personal),

preferred working styles, needs, strengths and weaknesses?