Is it wise to tell your superior that you feel unappreciated?

[corporategreen]

I will have a 1:1 with my manager soon (these don’t happen very often) and I don’t know how honest I can be.

The main problem is that I feel taken for granted. I’m very efficient in what I and when I make mistakes they are very small mistakes that are easy to fix - in fact I make mistakes because she does not oversee some of my work properly as she trusts me blindly and assume I will always do the right thing. However I’ve been in this profession for a liitle over 2 years so although I do very well and I’m progressing quickly, I don’t have years of experience under my belt. But I have always performed way beyond expectations.

On the other hand there is a colleague one pay grade above me who has many years of experience but is lax and make many crucial mistakes - I’m always the one tasked to fix their mistakes as I work fast and efficiently, I’m super organised and a problem solver. I’m always there to rescue the team.

Anyway, whenever one of colleague’s projects is complete, the manager profuselly praise them and thank them etc (sometimes acknowledging I played a part too when manager remembers) but when my projects are complete (usually seamless from my part) I get a thanks if I’m lucky.

I keep telling myself that colleague makes things so hard that it does feel like an achievement at the end and manager feels relieved whereas for me, I make things so smooth that my achievements are not noticed

Should I bring up that I feel unappreciated and demotivated? Or just give up and look for a new job? It would be hard to give concrete examples without mentioning the specifics but I want to keep the colleague out of it

BTW - colleague is a job hoper and skilled into charming people and has the gift of the gab and that is why she is there - yes she has years and years experience in the sector and that is why she is where she is at

Yeah express the concerns for sure.
Even though you know why other person is there do not directly criticise. That will look petty. Instead you can mention on what you can bring in team and show your plan. This should put you in better position.

Thank you
Still learning to play the corporate game

Maybe I will say something along the lines that I’m eager to be pushed out of my comfort zone and challenge my skills - providing I have support of course - and that I learn so much by mine and other mistakes but I’m curious to know what I need to develop in order to move upwards - concrete things that are missing other than experience brought by time

How does it sound?

I would instigate a conversation with your manager about the types of feedback you find helpful and explain that positive feedback means a lot, rather than comparing with your colleague.

i would also look for a new job.

You should raise concerns with your manager, but think carefully first about what the problem is, and what you want the resolution to be. The way you've written your post here sounds a little whiny and petulant.

Try to avoid phrases such as "taken for granted", "performed way beyond expectations". Raise concerns only about yourself and your performance. Your colleague's performance is not your concern.

Focus your discussion around your development, what sort of feedback style your appreciate and would learn from, how you like to be managed, ways you think you could use your own experience to benefit the team. Be constructive - raise concerns but propose solutions - don't just complain and drop. Be open to discussion.

This is good advice.

thank you

of course I’d never phrase this way and although it seems petulant I’m glad I can recognise and be confident in my strenghts as it can be useful for new jobs and interviews

I would say what's mor eimportant is that in your review, does your manager acknowledge your success? so, after 2 years, will the fact that you're outperforming expectations be referenced and suggestions made about what are the next steps?

The fact that you don't get priase regularly and colleague does isn't really a legitimate thing to raise. But your desire to be recognised overall (promotion, pay, better projects, more responsibiltiy etc) for your performance absolutely is a legitimate thing to raise.

"I’m glad I can recognise and be confident in my strenghts as it can be useful for new jobs and interviews"

Self-confidence is important and it's great that you feel it. But beware of false confidence. You say you are performing beyond expectations, but whose expectations? Yours, your manager's, your employer's? You are not getting the praise you think you deserve when you finish a project. This is something you could bring up in your conversation. Why don't you receive praise. You might be confident in your ability but perhaps the results are not matching the level that would trigger some praise. Seek out some constructive feedback.