What do you do if your boss's power dynamics hinder your career progression?

This I feel like can be a struggle for someone, who's working with a "boss" and not with a "leader" so to speak. If a boss is keeping your career progression because of personal grudges, or something similar of sorts, you need to find your place somewhere else. A person's vision can be hindered with a narrowed approach of looking at problems, whether they're being harnessed through grudges or petty micro management analysis. You need to make connections outside of your bubble and look for better opportunities, if there is something that you're really good at. Someone will find you, for sure with the ability to make you grow in whatever you're passionate about.

Checking your current state, what opportunities and challenges lie ahead of you? Is your boss approachable to discuss this with him incase it is unintentional? The end goal, if your performance is not hitting your full potential, it is better you carefully and respectfully get to another place your motivation, work ethics, sanity, performance, dreams and goals would be achieved and appreciated.

If your boss's behavior is limiting your growth, have an honest conversation about your career goals and ask for their guidance. Frame it as a request for help in achieving your ambitions within the company. If this doesn't open doors, explore opportunities elsewhere that align with your development needs.

When facing power dynamics hindering career progression, initiate open dialogue with your boss to express aspirations and seek feedback. Foster alliances with influential figures in the organization for support and guidance. Show initiative by taking on new responsibilities and projects. If obstacles persist, consider external opportunities aligning with your goals. Remember, navigating power dynamics requires diplomacy, assertiveness, and strategic thinking to overcome challenges and achieve professional growth.

Assessing your situation means looking carefully at what's happening. Ask yourself if your boss is stopping you from moving forward in your career. Think about times when you felt held back or treated unfairly. Write down these times so you can remember them clearly. This helps you understand what's going on and decide what to do next.

One thing I have found helpful is to clearly establish that you are not competing against each other. You have a lot to gain if your boss succeeds and you want to genuinely communicate this intent

Yes, communicate with your boss yet also communicate with other staff, people at your level, people outside your organization, and Human Resources for insight. Also, ask if it’s possible to change managers. Maybe the current manager doesn’t want to be a manager or their level of experience is too far advanced from the employee’s level and can’t provide insight to help them in their career. There could be many factors to this situation, try to look at it from different angles.

Communicating your needs is important. Talk to your boss calmly and politely about your career goals. Explain that you want to grow and learn more. Share specific examples of how you feel stuck. Listen to what your boss says too. They might not realize how you feel. Working together can help find solutions and make things better for both of you.

It’s good to ask questions on what your boss rewards as success for their role. How can both parties work together to achieve each other’s goals. Knowing what your boss is working towards can help you help them.

Have open and honest conversations with your boss about your career goals, aspirations, and concerns. Clearly articulate your desire for growth and advancement within the organization, and inquire about potential opportunities for development.

Seeking support and feedback is a smart move. Talk to people you trust, like friends or coworkers, about your career concerns. They can offer advice and different perspectives. Also, consider talking to a mentor or someone more experienced in your field. They can give you valuable guidance. Remember, asking for help is a strength, not a weakness.

Don't hesitate to seek support from HR, a trusted mentor, or a career coach if you feel stuck or unsure about how to navigate the situation. They can offer guidance, perspective, and practical advice to help you navigate the challenges you're facing.

If direct communication doesn’t bring change, seek support. This could be HR, a mentor, or even colleagues. Gather feedback on your own performance first to ensure your case is solid. Actionable Tip: Ask colleagues or mentors for candid feedback on your work performance and potential. Use this information to strengthen your case when seeking support.

Expand your professional network both within and outside the organization. Attend industry events, join professional associations, and engage in networking opportunities that can expose you to new perspectives and potential career opportunities.

Navigating challenging power dynamics in the workplace, mainly when they hinder career progression, requires a strategic and thoughtful approach. You can begin by doing a thorough self-assessment, reflecting on your goals, and aligning them with your current position—open communication channels with your boss to express your aspirations and seek feedback. Prioritize professional development by identifying skill gaps and proposing relevant training opportunities. Build a strong network within and outside the organization, and document your achievements to highlight your value. Consider seeking a mentor for guidance and exploring internal opportunities for growth.

Keep a record of your accomplishments, contributions, and positive feedback from colleagues or clients. Having concrete evidence of your value and impact can bolster your case for career progression.

this is called work politics and this shows immaturity of the boss, it could be EGO or fear of losing, they cannot be leaders what so ever. it effects health of both and makes work environment toxic. Keep a note or record of your accomplishments and contribution. it is better to keep the conversation documented. when you present this evidence they will ask you to leave. Place of work has a space to learn. some learn fast, people with whom you work are like fingers some are short, long, thick and lean meaning each individual has got a unique skill, this leader should know how to work with these people and move along with their strength and weakness; remember along with his weakness and strengths.

Think one step ahead. You have received feedback and although you have taken action on this issue, you are still counting in your place. Career paths are not defined in your company, many people are in the same situation as you. It is important that you make a decision considering all these and improve yourself to move to a company with clear career paths. You can do this by looking at the profiles of the employees working in the company on LinkedIn and observing their experiences and competencies, and you can take the right steps for the next career by improving the aspects you find missing in yourself. This will only come out by improving yourself.

Build Relationships: Cultivate relationships with other leaders and influencers within the organization who may be able to provide mentorship, advocacy, or additional opportunities for career advancement.

I feel a large step is missing in this article - to provide feedback to your manager/boss. I understand the power dynamics and how that could negatively impact the employee if there’s no psychological safety in the company. Often, upwards feedback is neglected in organizations. I’ve had clients I work with blindsided by feedback their directs give them in performance reviews. Let’s encourage these upwards feedbacks prioritized as frequently as peer feedback is; if not more.

Society is based on making promises and keeping them, but sometimes promises are made that won't be kept. This doesn’t mean it’s ok to make false promises, it’s just an awareness that it will happen. Once you embrace this awareness, you can be a lot more deliberate in your career. Whenever you're on the receiving end of a broken promise from your boss, it will hurt, but try saying to yourself, “Thank you for telling me”. Appreciate the moment as a source of truth because your boss has shown their actual intent. Without this appreciation, you may be inclined to raise your expectations if your boss makes another promise. But you now know their actions have spoken louder than their words, and you can take more effective action.