Folks I need some advice. I had a conversation recently with my boss about my career goals and I am really concerned.

Folks I need some advice. I had a conversation recently with my boss about my career goals and I am really concerned.

Of late I am being pushed to do work like fixing meetings for senior leadership team- which my boss glorifies as operating rhythm- the kind of work that have no clear nexus to business or processes. I was hired for process improvement and change management, the company went through a series of restructuring where all the functions have their own operation teams eliminating the need for a change management office. We aligned with one of the functions as well, but I am not doing much of that function's core work as well. I work with the CXO from time to time and she's my only hope for some extra work. My boss tells me that my current role - which largely has been reduced to fixing meetings- has a lot of "potential" and "unlock" value. She refuses to talk further and tells me to "bring" more work instead. I have tried quite a few times talking to other departments but they are too territorial + have their own operations team to do their work like I mentioned above. Collectively as a team we also questioned our boss on what plans does she have for us as a leader- and she gave us a whole bunch of vague answers like " you all have different skill sets that can be put to use" " You guys can have any kind of career graph going forward in the next 18 months" . When we pressed her further she said something along the lines of -"its a blessing when you get to write your own roles and responsibilities" " I wont tell you more, work it out yourselves. if you put a gun to my head i will though" and going radio silent or telling us stuff like " if you want to do something that'll look good on a resume, you wont find it here"- This is a company that has gone through 2 round of layoffs and it was a miracle me and my peers from my team were not laid off. I have two queries here:

I am a mid senior career professional who is looking into break into senior roles sooner than later, so is my situation something that all women at mid senior level in their careers- with a decade or more experience go through ? Am i fretting instead of looking at the opportunities in front of me ? Should I hold on to this role and hustle a bit more ?

Or is it my situation as bad as I have expressed alarm on? I find my resume - I used to be a product manager - being eroded here like anything here making me trapped in this organization? its like even if i look outside i would only land a worser job, I have already initiated conversation for internal job transfers to other teams where I can do some real work and beef up my resume value(I am sorry but someone telling me that you can mention things on a resume seems really unprofessional to me and I was suprised that she even said something like this to us). I have also hinted to my boss about the same and she seems ok with it ( my impression of her is she isn't too ambitious herself nor does she have a vision for her team so she is fine if we leave even if as a team we share an excellent rapport). Is this the right way to go about it?

Do let me know which line of thinking is right. If you have any questions pls ask as a part of your responses and I'll reply with further context. But your insights would really help.

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  1. Anonymous

    Update your resume and start looking elsewhere at companies that reward and promote from within.

    You mentioned a good rapport with your boss. That sounds one sided, as your boss is not being transparent with you.

    Sounds like more lay offs are imminent.

  2. Anonymous

    You are in a dead end position with this company. Sounds like your department is being phased out or the company sold. (By the way, what does “fixing meetings” mean? Facilitating? Developing agendas? Scheduling? This is the first time I’ve seen the term.)

    Update your resume, line up your references and start seeking greener pastures.

    As for your description of your current role on your resume: keep it whatever demonstrates your value (what you did before the restructuring, any good assignments your CXO has given you, anything impactful.)

    When asked why you want to move on: “the company has been restructured and the change management function reduced.”

  3. Anonymous

    fixing- scheduling facilitating and refining agenda items

  4. Erin Vega

    This is your time to shine. You started one role and now are handling something different and she’s telling you to bring it. So bring it! You want to be in a senior role, she is wanting you to show her that you would make a great fit not only in that senior role position but as a valued employee. Find things that you see could be handled more efficiently and come up with the solution.

    By her statements she just handed you the ball and you are standing on the three point line. You got this!!

  5. Anonymous

    Your boss should not be in a leadership role. You are asking them for feedback and guidance and they give you vague generalizations.

    I would focus on helping other teams and sprucing up your resume to find a new job.

    Your boss needs leadership training and that’s not something you can fix. I’d look out for you and be done

  6. Anonymous

    So I checked the company's financials the financial positions better than it used to be .. but they are also on a reckless recruiting spree once again instead of consolidating the financial position

  7. Anonymous

    You must look after yourself and career. At the end if the day you should only be spending time and focus that serves you and not parse through the weaknesses of your boss. She is who she is and apparently does not see career development and a clear path forward as important or even necessary for her team or individuals. For whatever reason.

    Only you know the opportunities in front of you and where you'd like to grow. That's the best line of thinking.

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