What do you do if your career goals in healthcare aren't being understood by your boss?

First of all find the root cause the problem. Try to talk and to understand your boss' perspective. Set up a dedicated meeting to discuss your career development. And give your boss a chance to explain their perspective. Perhaps they have concerns about your workload or the feasibility of your goals. See if the problem is from misunderstanding or miscommunication.

The first step is understanding exactly what's causing the disconnect between your career goals and your boss's understanding of them. It could be a lack of communication, misunderstanding, or even differing priorities. Example: Imagine you're a doctor who wants to specialize in pediatrics, but your boss keeps assigning you to work in geriatrics. You need to figure out why this mismatch is happening.

It’s your responsibility to talk and to ask for more. Don’t assume that your boss will know or guess or read your mind. Don’t wait. Be proactive. Articulate your goals. Your expectations. And be specific and transparent. Use concrete examples of your past achievements to demonstrate your potential for taking on new challenges.

Once you've identified the issue, it's time to clearly articulate your career aspirations to your boss. Be specific about what you want to achieve and why it's important to you. Example: Sit down with your boss and explain that you have a passion for working with children and believe specializing in pediatrics would allow you to make a bigger impact in the healthcare field.

One thing I've done over my career is having a CONTINUOUS development conversation with my bosses. This way, there are no surprises. They know where I'm headed. And, by having the conversation regularly, you can assess if they will be a support system for you along your journey, or if you need to pivot.

It's crucial to listen to your boss's perspective and any concerns they may have. This shows that you value their input and are willing to work together to find a solution. Example: Your boss may express concerns about staffing shortages in the geriatrics department and how your transition could impact patient care. By listening attentively, you can address these concerns and propose solutions.

Once you've heard each other out, it's time to come to a mutual agreement on how to align your career goals with the needs of the organization. This might involve compromises or alternative approaches. Example: You could negotiate a plan where you gradually transition into pediatrics while still fulfilling some responsibilities in geriatrics to support the team during the transition period.

Manage your expectations. Be patience and but persistence. Don’t forget that change takes time. Don't expect your boss to be on board immediately. Be patient and persistent in communicating your goals and aligning them with the organization's needs. Acknowledge even minor progress as it shows continued commitment to your goals. And last but not least consider all options. If nothing will change knowing when to pivot ia the key.