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Comment by agilebyte | Hacker News Reader

A supervisor is in a position of power over you, it's their job. What's the upside for me for potentially opening up a can of worms where I discuss their performance - that's negative? We are not friends, it's a professional relationship. If they need to talk to someone about their job, they have their boss to talk to.

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The upside for you asking your boss: 'what do I need to do to make your job easier' should be obvious. The reason your manager can justify employing you is because you, by working, accomplish some goal that was set for them by their manager.

If your manager has any self-interest, and isn't an idiot, they will reward people who help them look good. If your manager is an idiot and a sociopath who will instead reward people who aren't helping them look good, obviously don't try this advice.

Good question.

I am under the impression my manager is trying to get the next role.

If I am able to understand, and perhaps even address, my manager's concerns, then I can help them manage themselves onto the next level.

Then you should have their job :) I see what you are saying here, but it's a very fine balance and the potential downside is greater than the potential upside here so just be careful.

This is a terrible plan by the way. No one try this at home.

> We are not friends, it's a professional relationship.

We are not friends, it's a feudal relationship.

FTFY.

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