Say the thing you want

Firstly, you should read this whole post, not just my cliff notes here. I've lost count how many people I've sent this blog post to this year. So many people want a thing, but they've never actually said the thing out loud.

When people know what you want, they can help you get it (so obvious, and yet…). This is especially true for your manager. A big part of their job is putting people in positions where they can grow. But they can’t send opportunities your way if they don’t know which direction you’re heading.

This is uncomfortable for a lot of people:

Now, the obvious objection. “What if I say the thing and it backfires? What if my manager thinks I’m entitled, or not ready?”

Sure, that could happen. But honestly, if saying “here’s what I want for my career” is enough to get you punished, that’s worth finding out now. I promise you, three years of hinting for something you can’t get is a worse outcome.

It doesn't need to be an essay. A sentence of two to start the conversation is enough:

You don’t need something super fancy. Something like: “I’ve been thinking about the path to senior. Can we talk about where I stand and what gaps you see?” Or: “I’m interested in leading a project. What would I need to show you?” That’s all it takes.