To tell my manager I’m unhappy?

[losingpassionforlife]

I like my manager and I can talk to her. I’m just worried that saying “I’m unhappy” (worded better and with explanation) is just going to open a can of worms.

I’ve never been a manager, so it would be good to get perspective

Presumably you're unhappy with some aspects of your role? When's your next appraisal? That would be the ideal time to open up a discussion.

I don’t think saying you’re unhappy is in itself a bad thing, as long as you’re objective about your reasons why. For example, “I’m unhappy because I don’t feel challenged enough. I’d really appreciate taking on some more complex tasks that will help me develop” is OK, but “I’m unhappy because I hate this place and the team and I don’t feel like you support me” is not very good.
What are your reasons for being unhappy? Maybe you could word it better.

It depends on the reasons obviously.

Completely depends on the context and what outcome you are looking for?

I would typically advise some one who wants to approach their manager in the work place, to keep it factual - you can say this is how x is making me feel. But you don’t try and speculate.

If you’re unhappy because of another colleague don’t expect your manager to do or say anything to you directly about it other than acknowledging you have raised it. Unless it’s a colleague who is bullying or harassing you.

Also, go to your manager with solutions rather than problems. You should approach your discussion positively, in a “here’s what I think could improve” way rather than “can you fix this for me?”

That I’m not doing any work that develops my current knowledge.

That I’m only doing small insignificant projects. I moved from a very large team (in a different company) where unfortunately anyone senior was male and it was a boys club and they all took the best projects - I’ve since moved to a very small team in a new company to have more opportunities and they are just given to the same person.

I have no objectives. I’m extremely bored every day.

No colleague bullying and harassment. No personal issues with anyone.

At a very basic level and bored and unchallenged. I want to become a senior in my role (whether that’s here or another company) and I’m just not getting the experience to be able to do that.

Just tell them the truth that you don’t feel challenged and would like the opportunity to develop your skills further.

@losingpassionforlife if I was your manager I’d be over the moon to hear that you wanted to progress and take on new challenges! I’d be even happier that you have the wherewithal to raise it proactively and not sit stewing/expecting me to mind-read that you aren’t a coaster (sadly a lot of people are!). Have a think about what you want the outcome of the conversation to be and what steps you think need taking to get there, present these as part of the conversation. If you present the solution as well as the problem I cannot imagine you getting much push back. Go for it!