According to the Leading Up and Down principles, which statement is not true?

• A. Don't tell your leader what you're going to do, ask him first and get approval
• B. Communicate your plan clearly and seek alignment
• C. Provide timely updates to your leader
• D. Maintain a professional demeanor at all times

Answer: (A)

Leading Up and Down is about proactively communicating with your leader and those you lead, aligning on intent, and providing timely updates while staying professional. The statement that you shouldn’t tell your leader what you’re going to do and should wait for approval before acting runs counter to this approach. In practice, you own your plan, clearly articulate what you intend to do, why it matters, and how you’ll measure success, and you seek alignment with your leader. This keeps you from surprises, accelerates progress, and earns trust. The other statements fit the principle: clearly communicating your plan and seeking alignment ensures your leader understands your direction; providing timely updates keeps them informed of progress and any roadblocks; and maintaining a professional demeanor sustains credibility and confidence.