[Thomo]

Hi Chops,

I go by the following rule: If there is something that you don't like about your current job/role then try to change it, if you can't change it then you need to make a decision as to whether to stay or not. If it's never going to change then I would leave.

Good managers promote their best staff because if they don't (and their staff want promotion) then they will lose them to competitors. If you have set your heart on being a manager don't worry whether you will be good or bad just get the position - there are plenty of good and bad managers around - you'll be one more but you'll feel a whole lot happier. You have to push your bosses unfortunately.

It sounds like you have been enquiring but I don't know how much you have been pushing them.

I would follow this strategy (once I'd decided that I MUST have a management role) - Put a date in my head of when I must have a promotion and if I don't get it then decide to look for another job with better prospects. It's that black and white.

With a date in my head (say 6 months for example) I work out a plan of how to pressure my managers. So maybe every four weeks I will ask them about it and each time add more pressure e.g. first meeting "I need a new challenge, all I think about is a management role what can you do for me and when?", next meeting (if got no further) "I need to move this forward, I can't afford to wait forever, I have plans to buy a new house for my family and need more money - if there is no future for me here in management tell me now" to....finally "we have discussed this for several months and we are no further forward, I am letting you know that I will not be in the same position I am now in the next 3-6 months under any circumstances. If you want me to stay here then this is your opportunity to do something, otherwise you give me no alternative but to leave - which is not what I want to do."

If you have already exhausted the 'honourable approach' I'd advise that you sit down with your boss and say that you have been offered a job at a competitor (you don't feel comfortable saying who that is until you have given them your decision). They are offering you a junior / middle management position which is everything you want but not at the company you want. Can you offer me the same?"

These tactics are fairly transparent - that is not important - you are calling their bluff and in doing so will find where you stand. If there is no chance of promotion then every day you stay there is a waste of time.

Let's not get sentimental about this - you work for money to pay the bills and give you a quality of life. Enjoyment/satisfaction is also key - especially a feeling of a challenge. They are preventing you from getting this.

Three years ago I left a company I had worked for, for eight years. I loved the product I sold, loved the staff I worked with but felt frustrated at my managers. Originally, I had a good rapport with managers and was held in high regard as one of their best salespeople. Management changed and my face didn't fit but I kept at it. I want a junior management position and made it very clear what I wanted. They kept saying things to fob me off - get your target this year and we'll promote you. When I did nothing happened. I actually got promoted at one point but then they retracted it after a change of strategy - I didn't know whether I was coming or going.

They then changed the territories around and I got the worst performing area. For three years in a row I was top saleperson in my team and twice they promoted new arrivals who had performed badly at sales. When I was offered my current job I went to my managers and asked them to honour their promotion or give me a senior sales position. They couldn't do it so I left.

Sometimes you have to accept that people don't always see what is good in you, see you as a threat, or just don't think you are ready but haven't the heart to tell you. Tough for them. Don't let that stop you. There's plenty of jobs out there and whilst I believe in loyalty, it is two-way. Go to college get a management qualification if you need it (to prove you are serious) and get yourself the job you want.

Only you can stop yourself.

Good luck