Managing Up — Communicating Product Value to Senior Leadership

What does it actually mean to manage up—and why is it such a critical skill for product managers, especially women in health and tech?In this episode of Build Well, Kelly, Alex, and Kristi break down managing up as more than just status updates. We talk about advocating for the work you want to do, translating execution into business outcomes leaders care about, and building visibility without feeling like you’re bragging. The conversation gets practical and honest: navigating feedback, tracking your impact throughout the year, preparing for year-end reviews, and framing success differently in foundational versus scaling years.We also explore the emotional side of managing up—why women are often conditioned to wait to be recognized, how that impacts promotions and confidence, and what great management actually looks like. Along the way, we share lessons from managers who shaped our careers and highlight leadership traits that create trust, growth, and real advocacy.In this episode, we cover:What managing up really means in product rolesAdvocating for your career goals and areas of interestManaging up as negotiation and alignmentCreating visibility and communicating impactAsking for and using feedback effectivelyPreparing for year-end reviews without the scrambleFoundational vs. scaling years and how to measure successIdentifying strong managers—and knowing when to move onResources mentioned:Anchor Outcomes — Health Outcomes Researchhttps://www.anchoroutcomes.com/homeChapters00:00 Introduction to Managing Up02:51 Defining Managing Up05:37 Gender Dynamics in Managing Up08:13 The Importance of Clear Communication10:59 Visibility and Self-Promotion13:44 Feedback and Performance Reviews16:28 Navigating Ambiguity in Product Management19:17 Learning from Failures22:16 Building Trust with Managers25:02 Celebrating Good Management27:47 Conclusion and Final Thoughts