We’ve all been there where you feel a bit bored and dissatisfied at work and get the itch to try something else. Perhaps we think it’s time to look for an opportunity outside the company and explore if the grass is truly greener on the other side. Often times, the grass is just as green or yellow or brown! Yikes! So before we get cranky with our current employer, be proactive and explore unseen opportunities with our current employer. How do you do this? Just Ask!! If it’s that easy, why don’t we ask more often?

My Manager Should Know How I feel

Yes, a manager should have a general idea and helping with their employee’s development and career pathing but even the best managers do not know who all their employees feel all the time. Don’t assume anything and let the manager know how you’re feeling and ask for possible options or opportunities. A solid manager will provide a list of options and will be very pleased their employee wants to feel more engaged with the organization! It’s also a great wake up call to the manager to have more frequent check in sessions with their staff.

I already know all the options

Even if we’ve been in an organization a long time, there are opportunities that are not always obvious. If we don’t ask, we won’t ever be exposed to them. Perhaps a department or leader has pondered starting a program and needs the right person to lead or initiate the efforts. Perhaps there are programs already available but an employee is just not aware of it such as tuition reimbursement or company paid certification programs. Perhaps a manager is looking for a member of their team to back stop them while attending a conference. The options are endless when we ask!

I’m waiting to be to tapped you on the shoulder

Many employees wait for their manager or coworker to tap them on the shoulder to be involved in initiatives. My strong suggestion is to NOT WAIT and ASK for involvement. When we wait, we will miss out on amazing opportunities that may not come again. So, if there is an initiative you want to be involved with or there is a job you want to develop towards, ask to be involved!! Your peers and managers will feel your enthusiasm and commitment and would love to help team members with such passion.

Be curious

Don’t leave any rock unturned. There are obvious and not so obvious opportunities for employee engagement, satisfaction, career development, etc. If what you want does not exist, be the trailblazer and figure out how to create it! Trust me, that’s the fast track to be noticed and make a difference! Keep proposing initiatives that will help the employees, the team and the company and you’ll be the superstar.

The key to increasing job satisfaction and engagement is to just plain ask for opportunities!! They are there folks! Remove assumptions that people should know how you feel or you know of all opportunities. Waiting to be tapped on the shoulder may lead to missed opportunities so don’t wait! And finally, find the opportunities that are not so obvious so ask, ask, ask and you’ll find it!