9 Hidden Ways Your Boss Actually Fights For You 🥊

I still remember the exact moment I understood what real leadership looked like.

It was a Tuesday evening at Microsoft, around 6pm. I was heads-down, finishing up some market analysis for the Xbox launch, when my manager walked into my office. She looked exhausted - the kind of tired that comes from battling corporate bureaucracy all afternoon.

"I just spent two hours in budget meetings fighting for your promotion," she said, dropping into the chair across from my desk.

I had no idea those conversations were even happening.

Whilst I'd been focused on competitive positioning and go-to-market strategies, she'd been in rooms I didn't even know existed, advocating for my career. Behind closed doors. Without fanfare. Without me asking.

That's when it hit me: great managers don't just manage tasks. They fight battles you never see.

Over the next decade, working across Virgin, Kaspersky Lab, and eventually leading teams myself, I learnt that having someone in your corner isn't just nice to have - it's the difference between thriving and merely surviving in corporate life.

But here's the problem: most people don't recognise when they've got a boss who's genuinely got their back. They mistake the absence of conflict for support. They confuse being left alone with being advocated for.

So, let's fix that.

The Invisible War Your Boss Fights For You

The best managers operate like special forces - most of their work happens where you can't see it. They're shielding you from corporate nonsense, pushing back on unrealistic demands, and positioning you for opportunities before you even know they exist.

Here's what that actually looks like in practice:

1/ They Shield You From Above

When senior leaders come knocking with their "urgent" requests and impossible timelines, a proper boss doesn't just nod and dump it on your desk. They push back.

They say things like: "My team is already at capacity. Let's discuss priorities."

It's not rebellion - it's protection. They understand that your time and sanity are finite resources, and they guard both fiercely.

I've seen this play out dozens of times. The manager who quietly declines that "emergency" project because they know it's just someone else's poor planning becoming your crisis. The leader who pushes back on weekend work expectations because they value your life outside the office.

These aren't small gestures. They're the difference between burnout and sustainability.

2/ They Give You Credit Publicly

Ever noticed how some managers say "we" when things go well and "you" when they don't? Flip that dynamic, and you've got someone worth following.

A boss who has your back shares your wins in team meetings and emails. They make sure your name is attached to your work. They say things like: "This success was driven by Sarah's innovative approach."

It's not about ego - it's about building your reputation currency. In corporate life, visibility matters. The manager who shares credit is investing in your future.

3/ They Fight For Your Salary (Without You Asking)

This one's huge, and most people never see it happen.

The best managers bring up compensation before you have to. They're in those budget meetings saying: "I'm advocating for your promotion in next week's discussion."

They don't wait for you to ask. They don't make you feel uncomfortable bringing it up. They see it as part of their job to ensure you're fairly compensated.

I learnt this the hard way at Kaspersky. I had a manager who never fought for my financial interests. Every raise, every bonus, every equity discussion - I had to initiate it all. Exhausting, frankly.

Then I moved to a leader who proactively managed compensation conversations. The difference? Night and day. Suddenly, I wasn't worrying about being undervalued - I could focus on doing excellent work.

What if the “perfect” marketing career path doesn’t exist?

I sit down with my friend Tamara to unpack how curiosity, reinvention, and trying new things shaped my wildly nontraditional career.

I shared how to make sense of a “messy” resume and why most marketers are climbing the wrong ladder. And, what does it mean to define success?  

I break down the difference between acquisition and alignment, how to find your transferable niche without boxing yourself in, and why the smartest marketers stop waiting for permission and start leading with action.

If you’ve ever felt behind, burned out, or boxed in by your job title, this episode is a must-listen. I hope my advice will help you build a career that fits you…not the other way around.

The Protection You Don't See

Beyond the visible support, there's a whole layer of management that happens in the shadows. These are the battles fought on your behalf that you'll never witness.

4/ They Say No To Protect Your Time

"Tom's already committed to the Q3 launch. Can we reschedule?"

That's a manager declining meeting requests for you. Protecting your focus. Guarding your calendar from the endless parade of "quick syncs" and "informal catch-ups" that drain productivity.

Time is the only resource you can't manufacture more of. A boss who protects yours is worth their weight in gold.

5/ They Defend Your Decisions

When others question your choices, a proper manager explains your reasoning. Not in a defensive way - in an educational one.

"Let me walk you through why this approach makes sense."

They don't throw you under the bus. They don't distance themselves from your calls. They back your judgement, even when - especially when - it's being challenged.

6/ They Create Learning Opportunities

Here's where great managers separate from merely good ones: they connect you with projects that stretch your skills before you're "ready."

"This cross-team initiative would be perfect for your growth."

They see potential you don't see in yourself yet. They engineer opportunities for you to develop, even if it means extra work coordinating resources or convincing stakeholders.

The Trust Indicators That Matter

Beyond the tangible actions, there are subtler signs that reveal whether your boss genuinely has your back.

7/ They Share Inside Information

"Between us, here's what to expect from the reorganisation."

A manager who trusts you gives you early context on company changes. Not gossip - strategic information that helps you prepare and position yourself.

This happened to me before a major restructure at Virgin. My boss gave me three weeks' heads up about changes coming down the pipeline. That advance notice let me prepare, adjust my approach, and ultimately thrive through the transition whilst others scrambled.

8/ They Take Blame When Things Go Wrong

This is the real test. When a project fails or results miss the mark, does your manager own it?

"This was my call. We'll learn and adjust going forward."

That's leadership. Not finger-pointing. Not deflection. Just ownership.

I've worked for both types - the ones who blame their team, poison the well. The ones who shield their team build loyalty that lasts careers.

9/ They Celebrate Your Small Wins

Great managers notice progress that others might miss. They say things like: "The way you handled that client concern was excellent."

It's not about constant praise - it's about recognition that someone's paying attention to your development, not just your deliverables.

The Proactive Support That Changes Everything

The best bosses don't wait for you to struggle. They check in regularly, asking the question that matters most:

"What support would help you succeed this quarter?"

They're proactively curious about your goals. They recommend you for opportunities—stretch assignments, leadership programmes, committee roles—before you think to apply.

"You should apply for the leadership development programme."

Your name comes up in rooms you're not in. That's when you know you've got a manager who's genuinely invested in your success.

The Hard Truth About Management

Here's what nobody tells you early in your career: the vast majority of managers are merely adequate. They manage tasks. They hit their numbers. They don't make waves.

But they don't fight for you.

They don't advocate behind closed doors. They don't protect your time. They don't position you for growth.

And that's not necessarily because they're bad people - it's because they've never learnt what real leadership looks like. Or they're too overwhelmed with their own battles to fight yours, too.

Which means, when you find a manager who does these things? Hold onto them. Learn from them. And for God's sake, tell them you notice and appreciate it.

Because great managers are rare. And they deserve to know the difference they make.

Your Action Plan

Right, enough philosophy. Here's what you actually do with this information:

This Week:

• Audit your current situation honestly. How many of these signs does your boss demonstrate?

• If you've got a great manager, send them a note acknowledging something specific they've done for you.

• If you're managing others, pick one behaviour from this list to implement immediately.

This Month:

• Start documenting instances where your manager (or lack thereof) impacts your work.

• If you realise you're not being supported, begin building relationships with other leaders in your organisation.

• Schedule time to discuss your career goals with your manager - see how they respond.

This Quarter:

• Make a decision: can your current manager help you get where you want to go?

• If yes, increase communication about your ambitions and create a development plan together.

• If not, start exploring internal moves or external opportunities that offer proper support.

If you've gone through this list and realised your boss doesn't have your back, you've got two choices: hope they change (unlikely) or change your situation (difficult but necessary).

I spent two years with a manager who didn't advocate for me. I kept thinking it would get better. It didn't. The moment I moved to a leader who genuinely supported my growth, my career accelerated in ways I hadn't imagined possible.

Your manager is the single biggest factor in your day-to-day work experience and your long-term career trajectory. Choose wisely.

Over To You

How does your manager show they fight for you? Or perhaps more importantly, if you're a manager yourself, which of these behaviours could you strengthen?

The beauty of understanding what great leadership looks like is that you can demand it for yourself and deliver it for others.

Keep on rockin'!

Harvey