Often, people look to managers and mentors to guide their careers.
Both are great resources for encouragement, feedback, and ideas.
Yet, when it comes to our careers, we need to make sure we are in the driver’s seat.
No one else knows what we are looking to achieve and what will be a right fit for us.
Best to navigate with their input.
Leverage feedback on performance.
Put their career ideas on our options list.
Taking a position others think is a fit, but we are uncertain about, may not be the right move.
My Perspective
I believe that there is a bias that comes from a manager lens. Their priorities are:
- Their own role / career
- Their work and deliverables (which employees may contribute to)
- The work of their employees
- The career and growth of their employees
In this ranking, your personal development and career are #4 on the priority list of the manager.
The priority could be higher for a mentor, but they are also focused on their own career and work.
Because you are so intertwined at work, managers may also want you in certain roles because that better serves their #1 & #2 priorities.
This is also why managers can be reluctant to let a team member rotate to a new area.
Not all managers are alike, and many are really trying to support the growth and careers of their team.
However, being aware of other factors that could be going on in their minds keeps our eyes open.
We are the ones who are best suited to navigate our own careers.
It may seem scary. It may be easier to let someone else take the reins.
If a position or advice doesn’t feel right, don’t take it.
We know ourselves the best.
Leverage our strengths and follow our interests.
This is the best formula for a sustainable career.
Your Turn
Who do you look to for advice?
What other priorities does that individual have above your career development?
Would certain career advice benefit them in some way?