Business Case Studies & Business Publications

Managing Up: Leveraging the Board of Dir...

Whitler, Kimberly

Case

Managing Up: Leveraging the Board of Directors to Drive Your Agenda

Whitler, Kimberly

M-1084 | Published August 3, 2026 | 2 Pages Case

Collection: Darden School of Business

Product Details

When a person becomes a C-level leader who is not the CEO, it is often the first time in their career where proactive management of a group two levels above them becomes paramount for success. They must think about managing not only a department but also their boss—typically the CEO—and two levels up: the board of directors. “Managing Up: Leveraging the Board of Directors to Drive Your Agenda” includes two mini cases that provide students with the opportunity to think about how to interact with, lead, and manage a board. Students will generate ideas to prepare for a board presentation and then develop ideas to drive stronger alignment. These cases are primarily for MBA electives and executive education courses but can also be used in upper-level management and marketing courses, such as those focused on corporate governance and marketing strategy.

• Analyze the preparation challenges facing a C-level leader navigating board dynamics under time pressure. • Evaluate what it means to “manage up” in a board context and why this differs from managing a direct supervisor. • Develop specific mechanisms to proactively build board alignment before it is needed.