Controversial question I know.
But let’s just say that the roles were reversed.
If your manager applied to work for you, would you offer them a position?
What are the underlying reasons for your answer?
And what does this mean for your career trajectory?
Is your manager amazing and is expanding your career options in ways that you couldn’t possibly realise?
Would you hire them in a second?
Or if you’re reporting to someone that you wouldn’t hire yourself, are you staying because this creates an opportunity?
Is it only a matter of time before your relative value is recognised by others and they’ll offer you great opportunities?
Or is the current dynamic a threat to your career progress?
Is your development hitting a ceiling?
Do you feel like you’re stagnating?
Is it blocking pathways through your company?
Whatever the answer, this question gives your career some much needed perspective.
Your manager has an outsized influence on where your career goes.
What influence is your manager having on yours?