Im currently leading a project on my team and had a 1:1 with my manage yesterday. They asked me how things are going and I said I hate leading. He then tried to encourage me and tell me this is what it takes to get promoted. I then said Im not interested promotion because not a single person on the team has been promoted in recent times so why try. Ive spoken to other top engineers who have told me about their promotions being rejected. He then said lets talk next week about how else I can grow here. My communication throughout this exchange was professional, but direct. Did I shoot myself in the foot by being overly honest and confirming that Im someone that doesnt want to lead projects? Im a great employee outside of this. Very active and involved where I can be.
Big mistake. Being too candid, even with a reasonable manager, is usually counter productive. I hope next week’s conversation goes better.
Counter productive in what way? Am I supposed to keep leading even though I dont want to and would rather make myself useful in other ways?
I'm a reasonable person and I would appreciate the honesty. I'd rather have a productive team member happy than frustrated and looking to leave due to that.
No I think it’s good you spoke your piece you didn’t really sound unprofessional just firm and honest. However many managers would look at this as a red flag and they are bad managers. Your manager is one of the good ones and seems interested in figuring out how to help you grow
There is no greater sin in corporate America than not drinking the Kool-aid.
I worked for a good manager. Even though we had what I thought was a great relationship ~ it was a mistake to trust him. I can’t say he is a horrible person but he definitely wasn’t as loyal to me. BUT I did see it coming as he badmouthed every person who left the company to me… I’ve been watching him ever since.
Managers are always management friendly. Not employee friendly..
So you give him the key to your weakness
My sentiment (mind that I am much seasoned employee) is , if I cannot atleast trust my management to be fair, then I do not try to stick around in that team. And unlike the general sentiment here, a capable manager always try’s to deal with their employees as fairly as they can given the bounds as the teams success is the managers success. I was a manager , director , back to individual contributor and then back to management now again. Even when you are manager, you also have a manager on top of you. So you try your best to give everyone a fair chance to succeed, not equal, but fair.
He's right - you have to look at the bigger picture, in this career, inside or outside of Microsoft progress means leading any way you look at it.
There should be a more technical track where you lead technically and not have to deal with people management.
Right, there is - tech lead. This is what you become at higher levels. Any staff/senior staff is also a tech lead. I consider it rewarding - I don't have to take care of reviews, but I do get to grow people as a mentor and a lead. I believe that's what OP is asked to do.
At Amazon, this would be considered a negative because potential for growth into next level is one of the rating criteria. But it's Microsoft so I imagine it's not that big of a deal. Definitely don't be so honest about being a rest and vester though.
Well, Pipazon ranks leadership principles above all else so that checks out.
Your manager seems very nice
They are. How would your manager have reacted?