“They respect my work—but I’m never considered for the bigger roles.”
You’re trusted.
You’re consistent.
You’re appreciated for what you do.
But when the bigger roles appear—those stretching, visible, career-changing opportunities—your name doesn’t come up.
Someone else gets the nod. Again.
And the unspoken message?
“Not quite ready.”
Even though you’ve done everything right.
Even though you’re more than capable.
Even though you know you could handle it.
What This Feels Like
- You start to wonder if you’re doing something wrong—or if you’re just invisible
- You hear praise, but no invitation
- You get relied on—but not elevated
And it gets under your skin. Because it’s not just about missing out—it’s about not being seen for what you’re becoming.
Three Moves to Shift Perception (and Momentum)
You can’t demand a bigger role. But you can start being the person who belongs in one.
1. Ask for feedback—strategically
Not “how am I doing?”
Try:
“If I were aiming to take on a more senior role—what gaps would you expect me to close?”
You’re planting a seed and surfacing hidden blockers.
2. Start narrating your growth
Let others see your forward motion:
“Over the last year I’ve been really focused on…”
“Lately I’ve been leaning into more strategic conversations…”
You’re signalling movement—so they don’t freeze you in place.
3. Speak in ‘bigger picture’ terms
People in senior roles don’t just execute—they connect the dots:
“This supports X wider initiative.”
“This is where I think we could gain leverage.”
Start sounding like the role you want—and others will start imagining you in it.
When Perception Finally Catches Up
You stop waiting for permission.
You stop assuming they’ll notice.
You start owning the evolution—subtly, steadily, visibly.
And then it happens.
The conversation changes.
The opportunity lands.
And this time, the quiet message isn’t “not quite ready”—
It’s “why didn’t we see it sooner?”