What does it mean when your boss tells you "I appreciate your work and I want you to grow. So if you see opportunities outside of my team, let me know and I will help you branch out" ?
As a manager I would only help and encourage people I don’t want in my team to move teams. No way would I help and encourage the top performers to move to another team. Maybe your situation is different but that’s my take. Sorry!
I've been top performer the last 2 years but I think he is looking to replace me by this 20yoe veteran that he is getting along with very well.... maybe ...not sure ...I am a manager btw. But it is also true that there is no foreseable promotion for anyone in the team...
They are low-key trying to get rid of you... OR he is being brutally honest that there is no more room to grow in the current team.
Depends on your relationship with your boss. I’ve had a previous manager who helped me grow and obtain a position in another org even though I was a top performer. We are still on good terms and work together frequently.
You didn’t give backstory. Just based on that statement he’s looking to fire you unless you find a different boat.
Amex dont fire individuals unless there is collective layoff plan...in that case, yes I will be on the boat. So I am safe till the recession hits or a reorg is announced, which ever comes first.
To add a counterpoint to other peoples negative experiences: I’ve proactively encouraged a couple of people to move to other teams. It wasn’t because I wanted them out or that my team was dead/boring/bad. It was that I genuinely thought they might get a new and useful experience elsewhere too. Sometimes learning how a new team approaches issues or working on a different area of the company is value in its own right. Newer folks especially tend to think of moving as a bad thing or that it reflects poorly on the team you left. Nope. Cross pollination is good for both you personally and the company broadly. If you have a good relationship with your manager then I would straight up ask them what kind of change you should be looking for and why.
You sound like a great manager
Thank you! That's an encouraging positive note. It's true that we tend towards negative thoughts quickly in this situation. My boss is a political, complex, sophisticated animal that is really hard to read. I can either look for exit strategies or push that difficult discussion to understand what he means. In that case, I should be prepared to hear his true intentions. Not easy and wondering if it is even worth it? After all I know I can 2x my TC elsewhere...even if I love working at Amex and I'm well established and respected here.
It’s definitely worth fighting to learn what he really meant! It might be positive, or negative, or a flippant nothing, or something else entirely. If after a lot of pushing you still can’t decipher what’s happening then you’ve learned that he probably isn’t a great partner for you regardless!
I tried to engage in deeper conversation but he is not open to delivery a clear message. I might try one more time and if nothing GTFO... but trust is already broken anyway. Thanks!
This is real buddy, not kidding
Then change the job ASAP if you want a better career and peaceful life. Such managers can ruin your career