In Episode 6 of Season 3, we’re diving into one of the most nuanced and essential skills for admin professionals today:  “Managing Up: Are Executives Open To It?”. Jodie joins us to unpack what managing up really means, how to approach it strategically (and respectfully), and why it’s a must-have skill for every modern admin.

Jodie Mears is a strategic C-Suite Executive Assistant, LinkedIn Top Voice, and respected thought leader in the administrative profession. With over 20 years’ experience across aviation, energy, and digital industries, she now supports executives at Bentley Systems, blending high-level support with strategic business insight.

She is the co-host of The Crodie Files podcast and an Advisory Board Member for The PA Show UK. Jodie is deeply passionate about elevating the admin profession through mentorship, speaking, and her highly sought-after coaching program. A certified Mental Health First Aider and Regional Wellness Lead, she also shares her insights in her monthly newsletter The Assist List and through industry publications.

In this episode, Jodie shares honest insights from her 20+ year career, including what executives really think about being “managed up,” how to build trust without overstepping, and practical ways to position yourself as a strategic partner rather than just a task-doer.

We’ve covered questions like:

- What exactly does it mean to manage up, and how is it different from being proactive?

- Are executives generally open to being “managed up,” or does resistance still exist?

 - What role does trust, emotional intelligence, and company culture play?

 - How can admins build credibility and influence in environments where managing up isn’t the norm?

We’re also loving Jodie’s final words of wisdom: “For me, the game changer was developing my business acumen, staying ahead of our industry trends and being the person who brought information back to them and position yourself as a strategic partner who can manage up rather than waiting to be told you can now do that. The more you elevate yourself, the more indispensable you become. So that was something that stuck with me is it's all about you”

 So if you’ve ever felt unsure about how to influence upwards, advocate for your role, or be seen as a true business partner, this episode is for you. Jodie brings clarity, warmth, and wisdom to a topic that many admins navigate but few talk about openly.

You can connect with Jodie on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jodiemears.

You can learn all about and tune into The Crodie Files Podcast here: https://craigandjodie.com

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