The Boss Equation: How to build the most important relationship in your career without losing your integrity

Managing up can feel uncomfortable, but avoiding it can quietly stall your career. In this episode of You Might Try This, hosts Stacey Philpot and Cade Cowan unpack why your relationship with your boss is the most important one at work. They explore the hidden risks of being “invisibly excellent” or overly agreeable, and why both approaches can limit your impact. Stacey and Cade reframe managing up as a mutual responsibility and share practical ways to build trust, increase visibility, and stay aligned. If you’ve ever felt overlooked or misunderstood, this episode offers a more intentional path forward.What You’ll Learn:• Why managing up is essential for career growth• What your boss actually needs from you (and why it matters)• The risks of being “invisibly excellent” or overly agreeable• How visibility and honesty build trust with your boss• Simple ways to stay aligned and strengthen your working relationshipChapters 00:00 Why managing up feels uncomfortable03:19 The hidden cost of ignoring your boss relationship05:03 Mutual dependence: what your boss needs from you07:21 Transparency, trust, and the “no surprises” rule10:10 Bringing judgment—not just information12:11 The trap of over-compliance and becoming invisible17:37 The risk of being “invisibly excellent”21:11 Visibility vs. bragging: reframing self-advocacy21:54 Practical experiments: boss audit, assumption check, alignment checkTo learn more about us and the podcast, visit youmighttrythis.com and check us out on social media @youmighttrythis#leadership #careergrowth #management #workplacecommunication #professionaldevelopment #leadershipdevelopment #podcast