As the new year approaches, many employees may be aiming for a promotion or considering new roles. If that sounds like you, there’s one crucial question to watch out for during one-on-one meetings with your manager.
Career and Communication Strategist Lisa Villegas recently highlighted this in a widely shared Instagram reel, where she warned about the potential pitfalls of the question: “What do you think you need to work on?”
Though it might seem like a supportive or casual inquiry, Lisa explains that this question is actually highly evaluative. Managers may frame it as an opportunity for self-reflection, but they are often using your answer to assess your readiness for advancement.
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Lisa points out that managers don’t remember every detail of your performance — they remember patterns. For example, if you say, “I need to be more confident,” your manager may simply retain the impression that you lack confidence. This can impact their decisions when considering candidates for promotion.
She illustrates this by describing a scenario where two strong performers compete for one promotion. The manager may ask who’s more prepared, and the candidate who expressed personal doubts could be viewed as less ready.
Rather than focusing on weaknesses or uncertainties, Lisa advises reframing your development areas to highlight skills and growth. For instance, instead of admitting, “I need to speak up more,” say, “I’m honing how I present suggestions earlier in conversations.” Or replace “I struggle with executive presence” with “I’m concentrating on delivering communication that’s more decision-ready as my responsibilities expand.”
This approach sends the same honest message but conveys a far more positive signal about your potential. Lisa’s key advice: don’t let what seems like an informal chat undermine your career progress. Every conversation is an opportunity to demonstrate your value.
Her guidance resonated with many followers, who praised her reframing as a game-changer for self-reflection and professional growth in the workplace.