My boss and I disagree on my career path, how can I discuss?

Anonymous

November 8,2023 at 1:39PM UTC

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My boss and I disagree on my career path, how can I discuss?

I have been in a role over the last 18 months with a boss who was new to my organization and came over via acquisition. I was new to the organization too, having started 1 year prior to my new boss. At the time, because of all the M&A activity, the team I was supposed to build out never received the reqs. I did secure one req over the last year. Recently I have been feeling bored in this role. I was hired to build out a new team and new function, but my reqs keep getting frozen, and it's clearly not a priority for the organization. I approached my boss about changes roles or adding more responsibility to my plate. He recognized I was unhappy and gave me a raise (yay!) but he doesn't recognize how bored I am, and my new req still got frozen after multiple discussions, further limiting my ability to build a team. How do I address that I'm still bored while being thankful for the raise? I'm a person where money doesn't keep me engaged day after day, my work is what drive my purpose.

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AnonymousNovember 8,2023 at 2:18PM UTC
I would be up front with your supervisor. Schedule time with him/her and lay out your plan. If you like the organization, I would lay out a roadmap that would allow you to utilize your skills now, and not rely on building out your team. Provide value and make yourself valuable and visible. Good luck!
Heather (she/her)November 8,2023 at 2:29PM UTC
In your next 1:1 or review, you should make it clear what your career goals are and ask your boss to give you an action plan for how to get there.
Anne KrookNovember 8,2023 at 2:31PM UTC
Start researching what company priorities are, and whether you could take over a group that is growing and a priority. Do this research quietly, so as not to alienate your current colleagues or worry new ones
AnonymousNovember 12,2023 at 1:28PM UTC
This exactly - and that’s if you wish to stay at that company. Otherwise as others stated, start looking outside the company, what you described looks like they have chosen a different direction for the company and you will likely be eliminated / laid off through a reorganization / restructure.
I wish you good luck!
BethBNovember 8,2023 at 2:54PM UTC
It sounds like the company has changed direction and building out your team is either not important right now or they have changed their minds. Gather specific info as to what else in the company might challenge you and then ask for help.
AnonymousNovember 9,2023 at 1:25PM UTC
A transfer would be a better ask. I smell impending layoff in this situation.
AnonymousNovember 8,2023 at 2:56PM UTC
If it were me, I would double dip.
Do a side hustle, while also doing your full-time job.
Heather (she/her)November 8,2023 at 3:57PM UTC
Be careful to review your employee handbook before doing this. There are several companies that don't allow this and if you sneak around and get caught, you could lose your job.
AnonymousNovember 8,2023 at 4:44PM UTC
I think you need to sit him down and let him know that you want more challenges that will stretch you and that what motivates you is learning new things or doing things that are new or unproven. Find something that might need optimizing in the team and do that or offer yourself up to mentor others or bring others up who need help or guidance. It's truly inspiring to see that you are motivated by work content and not just money! Find your purpose within the job or do something outside of work in your chosen field to mentor others who need a leg up. You go girl!
AnonymousNovember 8,2023 at 6:43PM UTC
Does your boss disagree on your career path or is he not fully aware of your desired trajectory? I don't see anything in your post about road blocking your career. Rather, your comments are specific to building out a team which sounds more like a strategic & personnel decision instead of limiting your personal growth.
How do you address your boredom? Did you set up some time to share your thoughts or are you waiting for him to figure this out on his own? I like what the other posted said about looking for more internal opportunities...if the additional reqs won't come to fruition any time soon.
AnonymousNovember 9,2023 at 1:23PM UTC
If what you do is not a priority, you're in the wrong organization. Don't wait to be laid off. Start applying for other jobs ASAP!
AnonymousNovember 9,2023 at 2:45PM UTC
Many people would love to be in your position. More money without added responsible? Bring it on.
AnonymousNovember 10,2023 at 1:58PM UTC
Just to be clear, your career path is YOURS, not his. If your organization does not agree with your career path, you are stuck where you are. Ultimately, you are in the wrong organization and a likely candidate for extermination by lay-off. You can be thankful for your raise and still unhappy with the outcome. It happens constantly, especially among employees whose "work" is their purpose. I've been there, and the best thing I ever did was leave that company once I discovered there was no changing my situation and no future advancement.
AnonymousFebruary 28,2024 at 2:34PM UTC
Just an update: My boss did know what I wanted from my career. I ended up applying internally and I was blocked from transfer. Apparently my boss liked what I doing to support him directly and not necessarily what aligned with my career goals or primary function. I ended up going to a competitor and am much happier. Thank you all for the advice!