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Monday, June 28, 2004
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VOLUME 1
ISSUE 15
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Ask Liz
Dear Liz,
My boss tells me frequently what a great job I am doing as Manager of Customer Training for a software firm. My problem is that I want a bigger job, running all internal and external training and development initiatives for our firm, a job which does not currently exist here. I want to propose this job to our Sales VP and our HR VP. But I don't want to go around my boss's back and I'm also nervous about disappointing her if I leave this role. Do you have any advice for me?
Thanks,
Sara
Dear Sara,
Great question, and thank you for thinking about your relationship with your boss in the context of your advancement ideas. Definitely, definitely talk with your boss about your proposal. Do it this way. Arrange a lunch date with her outside the office with this topic: Sara's career development. Don't spring your plan on her, but tell her in advance that you have some ideas and you'd love to hear her thoughts as well as to what roles might be in store for you down the road in your company. Rather than jumping into your pitch, get her thoughts and hear her out before you start selling. She may be cooking up something similar to your idea, or have other provocative thoughts that could inspire you or complement your Education Czar concept.
Either way, give her lots of airtime and ask good questions of her, and then share your own plan. Tell her that you'd be sorry not to work for her but see this proposed program as beneficial to the company and to you. You may gain your greatest advocate! In the worst case, you'll learn that she does not support you if your plans include leaving her group. Either case is better than going behind her back to her manager, for the sake of your reputation in the company. If she wants you to succeed but really wants you to stay, make a deal with her: you support my plan with the big boss, and I agree to transition slowly out of the current role and help you find my replacement. This is how great career moves happen - with support from all the appropriate players. Good luck to you!
Yours,
Liz
Each week WorldWIT founder Liz Ryan answers readers' questions about business, work/life balance, post-millennial social issues for women and managing in professional and personal spheres. Feel free to ask Liz about what's on your mind! Send your question to Thinking Aloud's Editor, Lauren Calkins at laurenc@worldwit.org. Questions are subject to editing for length and clarity.
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Copyright © 2004 WorldWIT, Inc.. All rights reserved.
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