A leading career expert has issued a stark warning to employees across the UK about a seemingly innocent question from their manager that could seriously hinder their promotion prospects.
The Question That Isn't Just Casual Chat
Career and Communication Strategist Lisa Villegas took to Instagram to highlight the strategic danger of a common query posed in one-to-one meetings. In a reel posted on 28 December 2025, which quickly amassed over 1,000 likes, she urged workers to be extremely careful when their boss asks, 'What do you think you need to work on?'.
Villegas explained that while the question feels supportive and conversational, it is fundamentally evaluative. 'Managers don't remember every detail of your performance, they remember patterns,' she stated. Answering honestly with a personal flaw, such as 'I need to be more confident', creates a lasting negative pattern in your manager's mind.
The Real-World Impact on Your Career
The consequences of a poorly framed answer can be direct and damaging. Villegas provided a clear example: if two strong performers are vying for one promotion, leadership will ask the manager which candidate is ready. If your manager recalls you mentioned 'working on confidence', that single note could cost you the advancement, not because you're incapable, but because the other candidate's signal was clearer.
This principle applies not only to internal reviews but also in job interviews, where recruitment managers may pose the same question to prospective candidates.
How to Reframe Your Answer Strategically
Instead of framing development around weaknesses, Villegas urges workers to structure their response around abilities and forward progression. This reframing offers the same honesty but sends a very different, more positive signal about your professional trajectory.
She provided specific examples of how to transform your answer:
- Replace 'I need to speak up more' with 'I'm honing how I present suggestions earlier in conversations.'
- Replace 'I struggle with executive presence' with 'I'm concentrating on delivering communication that's more decision-ready as my responsibilities expand.'
The guidance resonated strongly with her followers. One commenter noted that 'This reframing changes how self-reflection is perceived at work,' while another praised the focus on controlling one's narrative.
Villegas concluded with a powerful reminder: 'Job interviews don't end once you're employed... every discussion presents a chance to demonstrate your worth.' The key takeaway is to never let an informal chat derail your hard-earned advancement by accidentally highlighting a perceived deficit instead of a strategic growth plan.
