What’s the best way to ask for more responsibility in the workplace when you need more of a challenge.
I’m a young man with a lot of ambition, always looking for the next step. #business #technology
20 answers
Robert’s Answer
First, be sure that you are meeting all of the expectations of your current role and responsibilities. You can do this by directly asking your manager - "am I meeting all of the expectations that you have of me for this role?". Chances are they may provide you with some direction on where you should put effort into improving. Once you have done that, then consider ways that you can improve your own work or the work of others by increasing quality, decreasing cost, or providing better/faster service to the end customer.
When you demonstrate these things, it is likely that you will either find yourself a 'go to' person, who is tasked with more, and in time this can lead to promotions or the ability to apply for a higher position and be seriously considered for it based only on the reputation that you have created.
Karmvir’s Answer
Carol’s Answer
I would start by making sure you are caught up on all the work that is currently assigned to you. Then figure out what it is that you would like to broaden your horizons on, and come to your manager with a plan.
I think this will show that you are willing to learn new things and are motivated to get the job done.
Melisa’s Answer
Hello Esteban,
What a great question and I think it is great you are so enthusiastic.
As others shared here, I agree. You need to first and foremost deliver on your expected responsibilities and build your brand as someone your team and leader can rely on before asking for additional work or projects.
I’ve worked in several organizations at my company, including Human Resources. Often the employees who are most successful and appreciated by their managers and peers are those employees who show up, honor their commitments and even go above and beyond to deliver great work.
I find it helpful to always think of my role as serving others and my community and helping to achieve our mission and goals together at work and in life. For me, faith, ethics and honoring commitments carries over into all areas of my life. Strive for this consistency life and others will come to know you for this.
Also find ways to connect with others through volunteer opportunities or cross-functional teams at work to help solve a solution or come up with new ideas. Working on teams that include people from outside your immediate department can help you learn more about the business or company you work for.
Once others see what you can do, you’ll likely begin to be tapped on the shoulder to take on more work or additional projects.
Best wishes for success in your future goals!
Melisa recommends the following next steps:
Kensleigh’s Answer
For starters, be sure that you are executing your current responsibilities to your maximum potential. Going above and beyond of what your manager asks you to do is a great way to show you are ready for a bigger challenge. Even if what you are currently assigned is not your passion, it is important to do it well and show your competencies.
Directly asking your manager for more responsibility is a good way to ensure they know you are interested in taking on more. It also allows your manager to provide you feedback and suggest ways to improve your current work that you may not have thought of. Even if your manager agrees that you are in need of a greater challenge, there may not be any projects they can give you right away. If this is the case, look for ways to improve your role/team. Are there processes that are outdated or could be automated? Come up with a proposed solution. Could roles be better documented for future employees? Document your own role by thinking about all the information you have learned since you started and how you might help someone speed up that process. Looking for ways to improve your team or your company outside of your explicit job role are great ways to show initiative and forward thinking.
Lastly, invest in yourself and your career growth. If you are in need of more of a challenge, do some industry research to discover top skills that you may be lacking. Then find a way to improve on those skills. There are many resources, like LinkedIn Learning, that can help you learn new skills or improve existing ones. Investing in yourself is a great use of your time and will allow you more mobility when you are ready to move to a new role.
Piyush’s Answer
You need to win the confidence of your Team leader & Manager by exceeding expectation at work. Once that trust level is built, you will be the goto guy for your management. That way you will get more responsibility at work and definitely challenging work. Don't wait for things to happen, make them happen.
rajat’s Answer
If You’re eager to take on more within your current company, then please follow below steps
1. Own Your Current Work
2. Know What You Mean By “More Responsibility”
3. Set a Meeting
4. Keep Things Positive
5. Give Your Boss Some Time
6. Provide Updates
Josh’s Answer
Melisa’s Answer
Hello Esteban,
What a great question and I think it is great you are so enthusiastic.
As others shared here, I agree. You need to first and foremost deliver on your expected responsibilities and build your brand as someone your team and leader can rely on before asking for additional work or projects.
I’ve worked in several organizations at my company, including Human Resources. Often the employees who are most successful and appreciated by their managers and peers are those employees who show up, honor their commitments and even go above and beyond to deliver great work.
I find it helpful to always think of my role as serving others and my community and helping to achieve our mission and goals together at work and in life. For me, faith, ethics and honoring commitments carries over into all areas of my life. Strive for this consistency life and others will come to know you for this.
Also find ways to connect with others through volunteer opportunities or cross-functional teams at work to help solve a solution or come up with new ideas. Working on teams that include people from outside your immediate department can help you learn more about the business or company you work for.
Once others see what you can do, you’ll likely begin to be tapped on the shoulder to take on more work or additional projects.
Best wishes for success in your future goals!
Melisa recommends the following next steps:
Rebecca’s Answer
Normally while working, if I see an opportunity for improvement, I just do it. I don't normally ask for more responsibility, I look for areas that we can improve, and then try to find ways to make it better. Once I have put my plan together and tested it, I will present to my leader/boss and potentially roll it out to the team if it's working.
Think about the most inefficient way you currently do business and ways that can potentially improve that process. Give it a try to fix.
If you're not comfortable with that... As a manager, I am always open to my team members trying to take on more responsibility (as this takes some of the workload off of me. The main thing is making sure you are handling your current workload before asking for more. I would be hesitant to give you more work if you can't manage your current workload.
Jameel’s Answer
You've asked a great question, however rather than asking your leaders for more responsibility, you show them you're ready for it.
Have a gut check with yourself to make sure you understand your current responsibilities. Gain clarity in what the added responsibility you seek entail. Evolve your performance and execution in that manner so your leaders are aware, that your skills can handle the added responsibilities.
Stephanie’s Answer
Meghana’s Answer
This is a great question! I'm a new associate at my job, and this is something I ask myself everyday. Not necessarily for more of a "challenge" but how can I help my team in such a fast paced environment such as consulting. First, of course, you want to make sure you are doing a good job at your current role before taking on more responsibility. The best way for a challenge is to first have conversations with various people on your team or at your firm. When you get the context from those conversations, then ask, "how can I make your job easier, what can I do to make this faster-- think about ways to automate tedious tasks on excel for example.
Terence’s Answer
Showing that you can be reliable on those areas is the first step. Taking on more and improving on your areas for development are next, along with having open conversations with your manager/supervisor. Ask what areas you can contribute more in, what you can do to improve, and what areas the team needs more. Take that feedback and plan your next course of action.
There is one more major key IMO, that's a minor difference in attitude. I've had really high performers on my teams and 2 I'll single out for this example. Both came into our department at the same time, both excelled and accomplished a lot, took on more and more. The first one, kept asking "what else can I do?" as he rose to higher and higher roles. The second one, would ask "what do I get?" (ie - titles, promotions, etc.), and he did rise to new roles. The slight difference to me was the first team member was really being true to his own drive of wanting to contribute and develop. The second accomplished similar amounts, but it was clear it was a means to an end. As a leader in charge of both, I ultimately put my backing on the first team member above. Years later, they are both successful because of their base approaches to exceed expectations. One is in a higher, more impactful role and has a larger network of supporters and mentors, like myself. The other is successful as well, just more as a individual, which is totally ok. You can guess which one I'd hire for a top role on my team.
As a manager, I love to see someone asking to do more. I see how they deliver on their commitments and how they work within my expectations for the team (if your manager's expectations aren't clear, make sure to work to understand them). I give them more challenging things to see how they respond and take less challenging stuff off their plates. It's a process of building that trust, demonstrating your commitment, and being consistent about all of this.
Mitchell’s Answer
Know your roles and job responsibilities. Study and learn about advanced aspects of your job or related industry. Contribute meaningfully to discussions and projects (don't just watch and listen, though important). Come into work early and stay a little later when needed, if permissible in your work environment.
Most importantly, learn how to talk with people. Relationship building is essential at any level, whether it's peer-to-peer or management/leader-subordinate.
When and if you get the opportunity to take on more responsibility or you earn a promotion, be prepared to work harder and some longer hours.
Mitchell recommends the following next steps:
Prerna’s Answer
Hi,
It's great to know your are so enthusiastic and will to take up more responsibility.
Here are few things you can keep in mind while you about it.
Always make sure your current delegated task is complete. Check with your team and management if you are doing your current job well. Most likely they'd always ask you to improve. So when the conversations seem like you are fulfilling everything and you just need to improve to better it quality wise, you can start to look out for more opportunity.
Never ignore your current deliverables when trying to find more and more to do. Often times you'll yourself find things you naturally gravitate to , discuss it with your boss and take it further from there.
Always keep an account of all the 'more responsibilities' or 'extra work' that you do to make sure you get recognised for it.
Good luck!
Shakira’s Answer
Deborah’s Answer
Also, I really value being a team player. It's important to work as a team. Have you mastered this yet? Knowing and working within a team can be challenging. There are many personalities. Where do you fit in? Are you receptive to constructive criticism? Talk to your peers - talk to your manager. Find someone that could help you create a path that allows you to take on more responsibility and be a more productive employee. One that feels energized by the job they do every day.
Soroush’s Answer
The best way to ask for more responsibility is not by asking, but by taking the lead -- be proactive, look for ways to contribute value to the team, and when you see potential improvements in process, simultaneously suggest a course of action and volunteer to lead it out. As people notice your reliability they will turn to you first as new projects come up.
IF you absolutely want to have a discussion with your boss, it's sensible to ask for a short meeting where you can discuss your professional goals in the company, and mention how you you feel like there are more ways (be specific) you're willing/able to contribute that is aligned with your professional goals.
