Stanley Bing's Top 10 Strategies for Managing Up

1. Talk to the boss every day you can. Say hello. Don’t wear him or her out. Just begin to establish the idea that you are a human being, not just a function, and probably a pretty good person, too. Look him in the eye when you do so.
2. Notice when he or she comes in to the office. Be there when she gets here. Don’t be a pest. Be a presence.
3. Wander by his or her office now and then. If the boss doesn’t seem to mind it? Sit and have a cup of coffee. Bossing is lonely. Be a friend.
4. Look for opportunities to make your manager’s life easier. I can’t tell you what that is, but there usually are such chances. Seize them when they come.
5. Never present a problem without also bringing along a couple of solutions. You are there to solve things, not make the boss do so.
6. Tell the boss the whole truth. If you have information that might interest the boss, bring it to him even if it might be slightly upsetting to him.
7. Don’t whine. If he or she treats you mean now and then, just suck it up. Don’t be all hurt and tender. There’s no crying in baseball.
8. Step up to the plate. If there’s anything going on that requires a volunteer, do so.
9. Show your appreciation. Remember that there is no boss in the world that does not appreciate professional, moderate, responsible, dignified sucking up. I’m not talking about lathering up his or her helmet all the time. I’m talking about conveying respect and admiration when he or she requires it. Anybody that tells you that sucking up — done properly and with restraint — is wrong or icky is simply advising you to disarm one of the most powerful weapons in your arsenal.
10. Share glory, but not blame. When there is praise due for something well done, let your boss have the credit, even if you deserve it. If there is blame, accept it, even if HE deserves it. There is only one person who you have to please here, and it’s not Mr. Carruthers on the 56th Floor. It’s Bob, your boss, who works down the hall. And HE knows who deserves the credit and the blame.

http://blogs.bnet.com/stanley-bing/?p=555&tag=content%3Bcol2