"Evolving your career into a position of influence is a natural next step"

Be clear about ambition and request time to discuss future development in the next 1:1 with your manager. Prepare beforehand by identifying actionable steps that increase experience and visibility with support. Seek exposure to decision-making through collaborative meetings that provide strategic context. Request trial opportunities for projects in the pipeline that include strategic responsibility while maintaining guidance. Use the 1:1 to align on a plan of action for growth, shaping projects over time. Be honest about readiness to contribute more. Consistent effort builds trust, improves decision-making and critical thinking, and strengthens reputation and visibility for future leadership roles.

"Firstly, ahead of your next 1:1 with your manager, be upfront that you'd like to start discussing your future development, where you're ready to lean into more strategic conversations. Then, before you have this chat, do a bit of homework. Identify what actionable steps can help you gain more experience and visibility whilst being supported in this area."

"A couple of examples: Do you need more exposure to the decision-making process to gain further context and strategic understanding? If so, identify a couple of collaborative meetings where it is possible for you to attend. Secondly, are there a couple of projects in the pipeline where you could be given more strategic responsibility as a trial out, but supported at the same time?"

"And then in your 1:1 with your manager, you can have these ideas on hand which can become actionable steps. Together, and over time, it's agreeing a plan of action to help you with your growth and development in order to get you more experience in shaping projects. Be honest when you're having these discussions on how you'd like to progress and how ready you are to contribute more to the company."

"There's no magic bullet, but good old consistency to build up your experience and shared trust to take on more strategic responsibility. Not only does it help to sharpen the quality of your decision-making and critical thinking, but it also helps your reputation and visibility, therefore putting you in a better position to lead future projects when the opportunity arises."

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