Roleplay Scenario
Scenario Overview
You're eager to take on a stretch assignment that would challenge you and expand your skill set. The project is high visibility and aligns with your career goals. You want to advocate for this opportunity in a way that demonstrates both your readiness and the potential value to the team.
Roles & Setup
Role A – Engineer (You)
You’re ready to take on more responsibility and have identified a specific project.
Your goal: Advocate for the stretch assignment confidently, showing how it benefits both you and the team.
Role B – Manager
You’re supportive of team development but need assurance the project will succeed and align with team priorities.
Your goal: Ensure the engineer is ready and the project will benefit from their involvement.
Suggested Openers
Engineer:
- “I’ve been thinking about the upcoming [Project Y] and would love to explore how I might lead a part of it. I believe it fits well with my growth goals and can really help the team.”
- “I’m interested in taking on more responsibilities with the [specific project]. I think it’s a great fit for where I want to head in my career.”
Manager:
- “I’m glad to hear you’re interested. Let’s chat about what you have in mind and see how it aligns with what we need.”
- “Sounds interesting. Let’s discuss how you see this fitting into your role and the team’s current priorities.”
Sample Roleplay in Action
Engineer:
“I’ve been looking at [Project Y], and I’m really excited about possibly leading a part of it. I think it could be a great opportunity for me to grow in [relevant skill], and I’ve been prepping by learning [relevant tool or method].”
Manager:
“That’s great to hear. What specific part of the project are you thinking about, and how do you see it helping you and the team?”
Engineer:
“I’m particularly interested in [specific aspect] because it aligns with what I’ve been learning and working on. I think leading this part will not only help me develop my skills but also streamline some processes we’ve been wanting to optimize.”
Manager:
“That sounds promising. We’d need to ensure you can manage this alongside your current responsibilities. How do you plan on handling that?”
Engineer:
“I’ve already thought about that. I’m planning to delegate some tasks to teammates who are looking to step up, and I’ll make sure to use agile techniques to balance my time effectively.”
Manager:
“Good plan. Let’s look into how we can support you in this role and ensure it’s a win for the project. We can review your detailed proposal in our upcoming meeting.”
Engineer:
“Thanks! I’ll put together a proposal outlining my role and how I intend to manage my tasks to keep everything running smoothly.”
Manager:
“Looking forward to seeing it. It’s great to see you taking initiative.”
Post-Scenario Tools
Curveball Mode (Optional)
Introduce these challenges during the roleplay to test adaptability:
- The manager expresses concern about resource constraints affecting the project.
- A new, unexpected project priority emerges, impacting the proposed assignment.
- The engineer feels nervous and struggles to articulate their case clearly.
Reflection Checklist
As the Engineer:
- Did you clearly express your interest and readiness for the assignment?
- Did you align your career goals with the team's objectives?
- Did you address potential concerns and offer solutions?
As the Manager:
- Did you remain open and supportive of the engineer’s proposal?
- Did you ensure the engineer understood the responsibilities and challenges?
- Did you offer constructive feedback and guidance?
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Focusing solely on personal growth without emphasizing team benefits.
- Overcommitting without a strategic plan to manage current responsibilities.
- Failing to prepare adequately for the discussion.
Pro Tip
Demonstrating how a stretch assignment aligns with both personal and team goals, and showing a clear plan for managing responsibilities, can effectively advocate for your development and benefit the team.