Last week we talked about an actively bad boss, but what if yours is simply less than ideal or just not invested in your success? What if yours is a meh boss? Try not to let an indifferent manager derail your ambition!
If you’re feeling that your skills and contributions are underutilized and underestimated, here are some tips to regain a sense of control over your work and the value you bring.
Start by focusing on what you can control: your thoughts and actions. Bring as much positivity to things as you can. Remind yourself of what you know you do well, and the positive feedback you’ve gotten over the years. You can even write these things down someplace you can see them if you start to feel less confident.
Keep doing the best work you can, and find allies. Just because your immediate boss isn’t focused on your success, it doesn’t mean nobody else is. If you can’t think of any, identify someone you want to mentor you and ask for support. If you’re doing your best, chances are that there are people who will get excited about nurturing your growth.
And, if course, keep your focus on your career goals and next steps. What do you want to be known for at work? What do you want people to say at your retirement party? What are some ideas that will help you move into a higher-paid role? Are there any new skills you want to gain? What are some new relationships that can help you grow? These are the things a good manager should be drawing out of you, but if your boss isn’t doing so, you can try to be your own great manager.
Some of those allies you’ve already identified can also help you achieve these goals. Who are those folks who are in position to help you grow? If you haven’t already, reach out to those people and ask for advice. These boosters and mentors will recognize your potential and help you with your career growth, even if your manager doesn’t.
