Stage 3 · Lesson 4 of 7
Relationships beyond your manager
Your manager is your most important ally, but in many layoffs your manager is not in the room, or is affected too. Decisions are often made a level or two higher, and the people deciding ask around: "Is this person strong?" So it matters who else knows your work.
Build relationships with your manager's manager (a once a quarter is normal at many companies), with product managers and with the teams that depend on you. Help them, deliver what you promise and give credit in public. These are also the people who will refer you elsewhere if the worst happens.
Common traptreating this as politics. It is simply making sure more than one person can describe what you do.
A question to check yourself, an AI practice session and 1 cheat sheet entry come when you add the roadmap to your account. Add it
Resources for this stage
Start with· follow one of these
- GuideFreeGet Your Work Recognized: Write a Brag Document
Julia Evans
A template for writing down your impact every week, so it is ready when someone asks
- GitHub repoFreePath to Senior Engineer Handbook
Jordan Cutler · Intermediate
The sections on ownership, impact and working with your manager