How you describe your areas for improvement at work could influence whether you're seen as ready for promotion or a certain job, a careers expert has warned. A one-to-one chat with your manager or job interview might seem like a chance for honest self-reflection, but she says your answer can leave a lasting impression — making it worth considering how you frame it.
The Question That Feels Supportive but Is Evaluative
Lisa Villegas, a Career and Communication Strategist, posted a reel on her Instagram page offering practical advice that struck a chord with her audience, racking up more than 1,000 likes. The clip showed Lisa smiling directly at the camera as on-screen text warned, 'If your manager asks this in your 1:1, be careful how you answer.'
Lisa then revealed the question in question: 'What do you think you need to work on?'
The expert went on to explain: "This isn't a casual conversation, even though it sounds like one. Be strategic."
Why Managers Remember Patterns, Not Details
Expanding on her point in the post's caption, she wrote: "This question feels supportive... conversational even! It sounds like self-reflection. It feels like your manager wants to help. But it's actually evaluative.
"Here's what most people don't realise - Managers don't remember every detail of your performance, they remember patterns.
"When you say, 'I need to be more confident', what gets remembered is: she lacks confidence."
Lisa then outlined a real-world example, explaining that if two equally strong performers were vying for a single promotion, senior leadership would likely turn to their manager to decide who was truly ready. She continued: "Your manager recalls: 'She mentioned she's still working on confidence.'
"That doesn't mean you're not capable. It means someone else feels clearer."
How to Reframe Your Development Conversations
Instead, Lisa urged professionals to centre their development conversations on skills and advancement rather than vulnerabilities.
She recommended swapping out, 'I need to speak up more', for 'I'm sharpening how I bring forward recommendations earlier in discussions'.
Rather than admitting, 'I struggle with executive presence', Lisa suggested telling your boss, 'I'm focused on communicating at a more decision-ready level as scope increases'.
She added: "Same honesty. Very different signal."
Don't let what feels like a casual conversation stall your well deserved promotion!"
"Interviews don't stop once you're hired... every conversation is an opportunity to communicate your value."
The advice struck a chord with many, as one follower told Lisa: "This reframing changes how self-reflection is perceived at work."
While another remarked: "Self-reflection and controlling what you can control are the real flex, plus with a good attitude, gets you where you need to go!"
