Finding a manager who won't fear you try to take his job is incredibly hard. I spent 10 years with a manager who never helped me grow, and built all the barriers he could so someone who was under him would never take his job, even after he was gone.
Why did I stay for 10 years? Because he knew he didn't have to manage me to get the work done, so I was free to do as I wanted (within the budget indeed). But the truth is I lost 5 years compared to what I would have experimented with a manager who wanted me to grow up.
Thanks for sharing your experience so candidly. I really appreciate your perspective on #9—finding a manager who genuinely champions your growth rather than fears it can be incredibly challenging. Your story highlights how crucial supportive leadership is, and it’s a powerful reminder of the impact—good or bad—that managers can have on someone’s career path. I admire your self-awareness in recognizing both the freedom you had and the growth opportunities missed. It takes courage to reflect on that balance openly.
This was fantastic, Julia! I especially enjoyed Tiffin’s perspective about using uncertainty or lack of initial knowledge as a catalyst to deepen understanding and improve the final product—I often do that, too, and it was great to see it validated. I also appreciated the emphasis on EQ and actively seeking managers who champion initiatives. Thanks for putting this together.
#9 is the most difficult from my experience.
Finding a manager who won't fear you try to take his job is incredibly hard. I spent 10 years with a manager who never helped me grow, and built all the barriers he could so someone who was under him would never take his job, even after he was gone.
Why did I stay for 10 years? Because he knew he didn't have to manage me to get the work done, so I was free to do as I wanted (within the budget indeed). But the truth is I lost 5 years compared to what I would have experimented with a manager who wanted me to grow up.
Hi Fred, Bummed to hear about this experience. Hopefully others can learn from you and you pay it forward to help others as you've become a leader.
Thanks for sharing your experience so candidly. I really appreciate your perspective on #9—finding a manager who genuinely champions your growth rather than fears it can be incredibly challenging. Your story highlights how crucial supportive leadership is, and it’s a powerful reminder of the impact—good or bad—that managers can have on someone’s career path. I admire your self-awareness in recognizing both the freedom you had and the growth opportunities missed. It takes courage to reflect on that balance openly.
This was fantastic, Julia! I especially enjoyed Tiffin’s perspective about using uncertainty or lack of initial knowledge as a catalyst to deepen understanding and improve the final product—I often do that, too, and it was great to see it validated. I also appreciated the emphasis on EQ and actively seeking managers who champion initiatives. Thanks for putting this together.