What skills do I need to do *your* job?
Get powerful intel on your leadership path
When you ask your boss what skills you need to do your own job better, you’re reinforcing the existing hierarchy and encouraging them to keep seeing you as a direct report rather than the leadership peer that you are. You’re asking them for advice and in a sense, bringing them a problem to solve. Let’s slowly back away from that paradigm. It may be helpful in the short run, but in the end, it’s not a road that goes anywhere. It’s a career cul-de-sac.
Instead, ask them what skills you need to do *their* job. This does a few things. First, it makes them instantly aware that you’re looking to move up. It lets them know that you’re serious about navigating the path to get there. And it puts you on more equal footing.
The upside for them is that this is an even easier question for them to answer, because they’re living the reality of their role every day. When you get them talking about themselves, they’re no longer having to “help” you. They’re just talking. No big deal. And now you have more rapport. And you have more information about what your path to leadership will look like.
Are you ready to be promoted? Take this free quiz and find out. You could be closer than you think (or not).