Expressing an interest in career advancement...
What are everyone's thoughts on how you properly discuss your future career aspirations with your supervisor/manager? I've found more than once in past positions that although your boss will tell you that your career advancement is very important to them, it actually comes across in their non-verbal cues and reactions that they see these type discussions as examples of disloyalty or that you're basically telling them that you want to lose them as a supervisor. Any tips or suggestions that have worked for anyone?
Ryan,
yes & unfortunately it is a sign of poor leadership to selfishly hold back an employee & not help them advance. A true leader will develop his/her people.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
Ed,
I was just having this conversation with a coworker earlier this week. I recommended to her that she approach the situation with honesty and respect and I also recommended that she focus on the fact that these were "future" career aspirations and not current aspirations. Consistent with your thoughts, her conversation was met with some resistance. Her supervisor started telling her all the things that she was good at and how the team benefits from those efforts. My hope is that this was just a first reaction to the possibility of losing a high performer and that the supervisor will ultimately realize that it will be in everyone's best interest to keep career advancement top priority. Best wishes in your situation.
Ed,
this is definitely a challenge. The first step, I believe, is to ensure that you have a good working relationship with your supervisor. If they respect you & know that you respect them, you have a greater shot at this conversation. The other part is to make sure that you demonstrate in your tone & work ethic that you are not trying to escape or ditch them. Best wishes.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
