Wes Kao
Executive Communication Coach & Entrepreneur at Co-founder of Maven / Co-creator of altMBA with Seth Godin
Wes Kao co-created the altMBA with Seth Godin, co-founded Maven, and now teaches Executive Communication and Influence. She is widely regarded as one of the best teachers of communication in tech.
Dimension Profile
Key Themes
Episode Summary
Wes Kao shares tactical advice for managing up, the super specific who framework, and the state change method for running better meetings. She explains why most people resist managing their boss out of resentment but those who embrace it get dramatically more opportunities, trust, and career advancement.
Leadership Principles
- → If you manage up, your boss will appreciate you more, give you more opportunities, and trust you more
- → Most people feel resentful about managing up — embracing it is a career accelerator
- → The super specific who forces you to define exactly who your message or product is for
Notable Quotes
"Most people assume that their boss has to manage them. But if you embrace managing up, your boss will appreciate you more, you'll get more opportunities, more trust — there's all these great things that happen."
— On why managing up is a skill most people resist but all should embrace
"You can continue to think your boss should manage you and your career might be fine. But embracing managing up opens doors that waiting never will."
— On the career impact of proactive upward management
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