When Asking Isn’t Listening, Power Becomes Clear

April 22, 2025

One of the most frustrating experiences for early-career professionals is being asked for input, only to be ignored. You may be asked what support you need, what skills you want to develop, or how you see your role evolving. But instead of a response that reflects your goals, you’re handed a generic solution that was already in motion. The message is clear. They didn’t really want your opinion. They just wanted to check the box.

This is a missed opportunity for everyone involved. It undermines trust and discourages initiative. And for the person on the receiving end, it can feel like your voice doesn’t matter. But rather than seeing this as a reason to disengage, use it as a moment to learn how organizations function and how you can begin to navigate those systems with intention.

First, pay attention to patterns. If this happens more than once, acknowledge it. You are not imagining things. Some environments are not yet equipped to listen to early-career employees in meaningful ways. Recognizing that helps you separate your self-worth from a flawed system.

Second, do not stop contributing. Even if your input is overlooked, keep offering ideas and solutions. The habit of thinking critically and sharing with purpose is part of how you build your professional identity. It shows consistency and maturity, and over time, it will get noticed.

Third, be strategic in how you communicate your needs. Instead of simply saying what you want, explain why it matters and how it connects to the larger goals of your team. For example, saying "I’d like to shadow more meetings so I can better support client communication" shows awareness and initiative, not just a personal ask.

Finally, when you’re handed something you didn’t ask for, stay curious. Ask questions like "Can you walk me through how this aligns with what we discussed?" This keeps the door open for real dialogue and shows that you’re engaged, not passive.

Someday, you will be in a position to shape opportunities for others. When that happens, remember this. Asking people what they want should come with a responsibility to listen and respond with respect. Anything less is not leadership. It’s control disguised as inclusion.