I was recently asked to help out on a project working directly with a C-suite employee (my direct boss is also in the C-suite so its with one of his peers).

Anonymous

August 3,2023 at 1:42PM UTC

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I was recently asked to help out on a project working directly with a C-suite employee (my direct boss is also in the C-suite so its with one of his peers). As I started working on the project it turned into more than my boss had expected it to be, and he now wants to pull me back a bit from it. The thing is, I’m really enjoying it and would love to continue working on it. To be honest I enjoy it more than my current role. My boss has expressed that he would prefer for me to not work on it but if I really really want to we can work something out. It has given me a high level of exposure and given me the opportunity to showcase a different set of professional strengths. What is a good way to express my desire to continue to work on this to my boss? I am having trouble directly telling him that as I don’t want to seem like I want to leave his team (not that this would necessarily result in that).

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Terri ClarkAugust 3,2023 at 3:21PM UTC
Perhaps you could modify your language on why you want to continue to work on this project. Instead of "showcase different professional strengths" you could say "develop different professional strengths". If you have a plan to keep up with current work while also taking on the new project, and can demonstrate how this will benefit the company, I'm sure your boss will get on board. It may help to put boundaries around the time and energy you put towards the special project, possibly limiting to a max of 10% of your time will be allocated to the project. Sounds like fun, good luck!
Kimberley Ferretti HammettAugust 3,2023 at 7:41PM UTC
Yes, sell on how it benefits your boss and your current work. You could also explain that this is a motivating add to your plate. There is a lot of research that shows adding work that is aligned with one's strengths can actually increase productivity on other projects. It's like it "recharges" and focuses the brain. Communicate clearly to agree on what prioritizing your current role while still getting to work on this project looks like. If you do development plans, ask about having this as part of your personal/professional development.
AnonymousAugust 3,2023 at 4:43PM UTC
Perhaps tell him you can handle both?
I'm like you... love the projects more.
Is it possible to be more efficient (not that you weren't already) at your "day job"?
I could have written your post!!
You got this!!!!!!
AnonymousAugust 3,2023 at 5:42PM UTC
You can proactively come up with a plan to carve out enough time to devote to the project while not jeopardizing your core job responsibilities and reaching each deadline.
If you can't do this you run the risk of losing the job that pays you. In this situation you would need to work on this project off the clock or make some arrangement with your boss's peer that you are compensated separately for your work after hours and weekends (with your boss's approval of course).
Be extremely transparent about the hours, your commitment to your job and your desire to grow and learn new aspects of the company. Your message should focus on you contributing to the overall success of the company. How you are allowed to do that will require navigating and negotiating in good faith with everyone involved. Remember you want to drive this proactively.
AnonymousAugust 3,2023 at 5:43PM UTC
Terrific advice here -
This is your chance to really shine. You got this!!
Gretchen SkalkaAugust 6,2023 at 2:30PM UTC
Help him see the benefit for him, the company and/or department in terms of the positive exposure for him and his team, skills you're contributing and learning, longer-term positive impacts from this project and so on.
He just may not have considered the added value and perspective.