Introduction: What You’ll Learn
This simulation provides practice in advocating for a stretch assignment on a new project. You'll navigate conversations with your manager to align your career goals with the company's needs and demonstrate your readiness for greater responsibility.
You’ll practice:
- Framing your interest in stretch assignments
- Communicating your readiness and relevant skills
- Aligning your goals with the team and company objectives
- Negotiating for opportunities and responsibilities
Step-by-Step Simulation
Scene 1: Preparing for the Conversation
You: (Thinking) "I’ve been improving my skills and feel ready for more challenging tasks. The new AI-driven analytics platform project looks like a great opportunity to develop my leadership abilities. I need to prepare my pitch."
(You jot down your recent achievements, like leading a successful data migration project, and your skills in machine learning. You also outline how this opportunity supports your career growth and benefits the team, like enhancing analytics capabilities.)
Scene 2: Initiating the Discussion
(You schedule a one-on-one meeting with your manager, Jamie, to discuss your interest.)
You: "Hi Jamie, thanks for making time to meet with me. I’ve been thinking about how I can contribute more to our team and grow professionally. I’m really interested in the AI-driven analytics platform project that’s starting soon."
Jamie: "Hey, it's great to hear you're interested! What about the project catches your eye?"
You: "Well, this project involves cutting-edge AI tech, which aligns with my recent focus on machine learning. I think I can bring value with my recent work on data models, and I’m eager to take on more responsibility, maybe in a tech lead role."
Scene 3: Demonstrating Readiness
Jamie: "Nice to see your enthusiasm. How do your skills and experiences line up with what this project needs?"
You: "Sure thing. I led the data migration initiative, improving our data accuracy by 25%. Plus, I recently completed a certification in AI systems, which directly applies here. I’m ready to use these skills to guide the team and mentor others in AI techniques."
Jamie: "That’s impressive. How do you see this fitting into your career development?"
You: "This role would let me build on my technical expertise and develop leadership skills, setting me up for future roles that involve more strategic decision-making. It’s a step towards becoming a team lead."
Scene 4: Addressing Concerns and Aligning Goals
Jamie: "Aligning your growth with team goals is important. What about your current workload? Can you manage both?"
You: "I took a good look at my current tasks and found areas to delegate or streamline. For instance, I’ve trained a junior team member to handle some of my routine duties, making sure I have the bandwidth for this new role."
Jamie: "Good to know. How do you think your involvement will benefit the project and the team?"
You: "My involvement would mean leveraging strategies to boost our analytics capabilities, leading to faster insights for stakeholders. By taking on a leadership role, I can help streamline communication and collaboration within the team, ensuring we meet deadlines efficiently."
Jamie: "Sounds promising. Let’s talk about specific responsibilities and how we can get you involved in the project effectively."
Scene 5: Wrapping Up
You: "Thanks, Jamie. I appreciate the chance to talk about this and look forward to contributing more. I’ll draft a proposal on how I can best support the project and the team."
Jamie: "Great initiative. Let’s review your proposal later this week. I’m keen to see how we can make this work for everyone."
(You leave the meeting feeling positive, having advocated effectively for your career growth and alignment with team goals.)
Mini Roleplay Challenges
Challenge 1: Your manager expresses concern about your current workload.
- Best Response: “I’ve assessed my tasks and found areas I can delegate or streamline, ensuring I have capacity for this new role.”
Challenge 2: Your manager is unsure about your readiness.
- Best Response: “I’ve successfully led smaller projects and can show how those experiences have prepared me for this role.”
Challenge 3: The project scope changes significantly.
- Best Response: “I’m adaptable and open to training or resources needed to address the new project requirements.”
Optional Curveball Mode
- Your manager is initially unavailable to meet.
- The project requires skills outside your current expertise.
- A colleague also expresses interest in the same role.
Practice adapting to these challenges while maintaining focus on your advocacy goals.
Reflection Checklist
Preparation
- Did I clearly articulate my skills and achievements?
- Did I align my career goals with team objectives?
Conversation
- Did I effectively communicate my readiness and enthusiasm?
- Did I engage in active listening and respond thoughtfully?
Outcome
- Did I propose actionable next steps?
- Did I leave the conversation with a clear path forward?
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Overlooking current workload or responsibilities
- Failing to prepare specific examples or achievements
- Not aligning personal goals with team or company needs
- Being vague about how the opportunity benefits all parties