What to do if you think your boss is suppressing your career progression

You’re passionate about your job and enjoy its challenges. However, when the person who should be your biggest advocate — your boss — seems to be holding you back, it can crush your motivation and stall your career. 

If you suspect your boss is suppressing your career growth, you’re not alone. Here are signs your manager is hindering your development, the possible reasons behind such behaviour, and actionable steps you can take to regain control.

Signs your boss is stifling your career growth

These sneaky red flags may indicate that your boss is suppressing your career growth:

Consistently overlooked for opportunities

Think about the missed opportunities at work. Was there an instance where your boss denied your training or promotion requests? Another sign is when they constantly assign menial tasks below your skill level.

Receiving vague feedback

A survey found that 46 per cent of workers think their manager somewhat or rarely understands their contributions at work — that’s nearly half of the working population feeling misunderstood. This may be why your boss gives nebulous feedback such as “you need to show more leadership” when you ask for specific examples of how you could do better.

You haven’t received a promotion

This is one of the most obvious signs. You’ve worked hard for a long time and haven’t received a promotion, while others around you are moving up. If it’s been a long time since you’ve received a pay rise or promotion despite your contributions, it can be a sign that your boss isn’t investing in your growth.

Being excluded from key conversations

Maybe there’s a new project, and you’re not being invited to meetings or conversations surrounding it. Perhaps your boss isn’t initiating one-on-one meetings with you anymore. When these opportunities are not presented, it can cause unclear expectations or feelings of unworthiness.

Understanding the ‘why’ behind their behaviour

There are many reasons why bosses may be blocking your career progress. Here are some reasons why they are holding you back:

They are insecure in their own role

Insecure bosses often have a constant need for validation. For instance, you present a new idea to them in a one-on-one meeting. They seem lukewarm about it. The next day, in a department-wide meeting, you hear them present your idea as if it were their own. Taking credit for your work so they look good is a sign that they’re insecure about their ability to produce good ideas.

They don’t believe in employee development

You find a professional development course that you want to attend. You bring this up to your manager, who may think your time would be better spent on work-related tasks. Your boss may not be as invested in your growth as you are if they see opportunities like this as a liability.

They think you still have skills to develop

Sometimes, a boss keeps someone in a current position if they think they still have skills to learn. They may think you need to brush up on your soft skills before taking on additional responsibilities.

Tips on how to manage this situation

Here’s how to take control of the situation if you suspect your boss is suppressing career growth:

Initiate a career-focused conversation

Schedule a formal meeting with your boss. While this can feel intimidating, remember that your professional development is a valid topic. It’s important for keeping you engaged, as studies show that 82 per cent of employees feel that happiness and engagement are important for productivity.

You could lead with a forward-looking statement, like “I am committed to my future here, and I want to talk about what’s next for me”.

Document and align with facts, not feelings

Create a log of your work contributions. Note the date, situation, impact on your work and any witnesses. Track achievements and positive feedback from others to build a case based on data, not just emotional frustration.

Meet with your boss one-on-one and see where you stand in the company. Ask about the possibility of a promotion if you continue to meet and exceed their expectations.

Evaluate the outcome and make a decision

Notice how your boss responds. Are they open to working with you, or does their answer feel dismissive or vague? If your boss is on board, agree on precise follow-up dates together so you both stay on track. If the conversation doesn’t go well, consider transferring to a different department.

Know when to walk away

You deserve to be in a place where you feel supported. If, after your meeting, it starts to feel like your manager isn’t interested in helping you grow, it might be time to start exploring opportunities elsewhere. There’s a team out there that needs your skills and will be excited to help you grow.

Don’t let a boss stop your career growth

Ultimately, trust your own judgement. If you’re worried that talking about your growth will upset your boss, that’s usually a big red flag about the relationship.

Do what you can, and when you know it’s time, don’t be afraid to move on.