The fourth session of the Breakthrough Development Program (BDP), held on February 12, 2025, focused on the importance of interdependency with respect in the workplace to manage up. As a proud Classicist, two timeless lines immediately came to mind.
First, the famous philosophical question from Shakespeare’s Hamlet: “To be or not to be?”
For employees, the answer is clear—it must always be “to be.” Be diligent and treat your manager with the utmost respect at all times. If you lose it, take a break, breathe, and find it again. Lose it once more? Repeat the cycle: find it, hold onto it, lose it, and find it again. You have no other choice. While maintaining your free will, ensure that your decisions and actions always consider your manager. After all, you are accountable for the consequences.
For managers, the choice is different—”to be” or “not to be.” You hold the power and authority not only to shape your employees but to mold them into skilled and competitive professionals. You have freedom and options, but do not be a tyrant—no one thrives under tyranny in the workplace. Be just and fair in your judgments, and value your employees. Respect not only their work but also their aspirations and dreams. Understand that they look up to you and aspire to be like you.
Que Sera, Sera was not the theme song of this BDP session. Instead, we learned that we must actively contribute to creating a healthy, balanced, and motivating workplace. It starts with you. Yes, you—my fellow employee, colleague, friend, and co-catalyst in driving our company’s growth and success.
Given the young demographic of employees, it is essential to instill positive corporate values, such as:
- Respect – Trust, fairness, integrity, and humility
- Excellence – Role modeling, commitment, and efficiency
- Entrepreneurial Spirit – Leadership, ingenuity, and teamwork
These values bind us together. They shape our behaviors and actions and represent the principles that have guided our business, built upon professional and ethical practices.
A Workplace Ecosystem: The Balance of Interdependency
Our workplace operates like an ecosystem—a system where interdependency among different species is essential for survival and growth. Not everyone can be a predator, nor should anyone be reduced to mere prey. An imbalance would lead to catastrophe, disrupting the harmony needed for collective success.
To manage up effectively and achieve career growth, we must integrate respect into our professional interactions. Success should not be measured solely by competencies but also by strong morals and character.
Patience, as they say, is a virtue. Everything happens at the right time. Focus on personal and professional development, gradually deliver results, and prove your worth. Promotions come to those who wait—they should not be demanded. Aggressiveness, workarounds, and bypassing superiors have no place in this workplace ecosystem.
Do not fall into the trap of seeking personal recognition at the expense of teamwork. A lone predator working against their manager disrupts the organization’s ethical and professional foundations, weakening the synergy that binds employees together.
As employees, we must value humility—it is the key to climbing the career ladder with integrity.
Managers as Servant Leaders
But it could also start with you—our managers, superiors, mentors, and bosses. Our career aspirations and ambitions are in your hands. Please do not break the trust and confidence we place in you.
Do not mistake an employee’s silence or submissiveness as weakness. Likewise, do not interpret collaboration, follow-ups, reminders, or co-creation as disrespect. These are the humble efforts employees make to survive and manage up within the organization.
As you gain experience and responsibilities, train your subordinates to become like you—a servant leader who empowers employees to take control of their careers by honing their skills and talents. Encourage innovation and creativity, invest in employee development, and provide training opportunities. Do not monopolize knowledge and expertise that you have gathered over the years.
After all, the same organization that molded you into a leader is now shaping the next generation. You, too, were once an eager young professional. Allow today’s young employees the space to grow, even when their energy and ambition may sometimes seem radical. Guide them with principles and values—because their success is a reflection of your leadership.
Help them become valuable assets to the organization, just as you once became one. Direct them with purpose, principles, and values.
A Shared Responsibility: Building a Stronger Future Together
You could start together. Both employees and managers must continue maximizing their respective talents and leveraging diverse perspectives. Doing so opens the doors to a more dynamic, innovative, and collaborative future.
Each one of us at John Clements Consultants, Inc. (JCCI) embodies its culture and ethical legacy. We have a shared moral obligation to uphold, protect, and demonstrate our guiding principles—not only within the company but also to the world outside.
We must believe in the words we speak and the actions we take, ensuring they align with the values and principles our founders established. These values are our guiding stars—leading us toward a thriving, interdependent workplace built on respect and shared success.
Foster Growth Through Respect and Interdependency
At John Clements Consultants, we believe that managing up in the workplace starts with respect, collaboration, and ethical leadership. Whether you’re an employee striving for career growth or a leader looking to empower your team, fostering a balanced workplace ecosystem is key to success.
Looking for expert guidance in leadership development, talent management, or corporate training? Contact us today and let’s build a thriving, values-driven workplace together.
