Q: My manager seems to hoard all the good assignments. How can I convince him to let me and others on our team take on some new, more challenging projects?

A: There could be a couple of factors at play here. While it may be true that your manager is keeping all the plum assignments for himself, it’s also possible that he may not think you are prepared to take on these projects on your own.

Honestly evaluate your recent performance. Are you exceeding expectations on your current work? Sometimes people get so focused on their next challenge that they fail to carefully execute on what they were hired to do. To combat this tendency, maximize your performance every day, even on tasks that you consider routine.

If you’re performing at a high level and still your manager keeps all the most desirable assignments, ask to speak with him directly and lay out your concerns. Don’t go in with accusations. Instead, present your case that you’re ready, willing, and able to take on more responsibility.

Let your boss know you’re eager to learn, grow, and contribute to the success of your department and organization—after all, it’s not just about you.

Share some examples of steps you’re taking to improve your skills, like classes or webinars you’ve attended that will prepare you to take on new projects. Let him know you’re eager to learn, grow, and contribute to the success of your department and organization—after all, it’s not just about you.

Also consider whether there’s a pattern to the assignments your manger keeps for himself. For example, does he have a specific skill set that no one else in the department has? Or does he keep the projects with higher visibility to impress his own boss? In either of those cases, he will probably not relinquish those projects to you or others.

If you’re not comfortable meeting with your manager to lay out your qualifications, then you need to consistently demonstrate not only that you are competent, but that you have untapped skills that you—and he—can leverage to maximize your impact.