Here's how you can handle a boss unsupportive of your career goals.

It helps to stay calm, pleasant, and composed when your boss shows signs of concern about your work or potential for advancement in your career. Try to understand what they want and why they are unhappy with your performance, growth in your current role, or your ability to achieve the expected career goal. Above all, try to see the situation from their perspective and avoid taking things personally. Do remember to take good notes.

I once approached a leader, who had been promoted months earlier, about advancing my career. I was interested in taking on more responsibility and moving to a more senior position. I brought value to our team and wanted the chance to do more. I was asked to document my accomplishments for consideration. I did, and they were irrefutable. Yet I was told I would not be promoted or receive an increase but could change my title if I liked. I was glad I initiated the dialogue. It did not get me what I wanted, but it did give me clarity and encouraged me to seek an opportunity elsewhere that was more aligned with my goals.

Many of us work in matrix organisations and that means we work with a multitude of stakeholders (bosses) so if one of them is not supportive of our career goals, the others may be sympathetic and nurturing. If someone is not supportive, the first step would be to understand why. They may simply believe that you are the best fit for the current role and they won't be able to replace you easily if you choose to move on. In that case offering to up-skill colleagues/ allow colleagues to shadow you to gain the necessary experience, may help minimise that risk. Whatever the reason may be, one needs to have an honest conversation with the unsupportive boss in view of coming to a joint agreement/ finding solution that will benefit both parties.