A lot of times conversations with people on what is expected from them and what they’re expecting doesn’t go well. It’s not that we usually have bad people - it’s a mismatch between what a position demands and what a person wants to do and is capable of.
I had to add master data management to someone’s role recently. He didn’t want it. His eyes are on demand planning, that’s where he sees his future. I knew this conversation could go badly. “You need to do this task you don’t want” rarely lands well.
Instead, I tried separating the two: this position needs master data management task addition right now, it helps make it meaningful for the future for this department. Your interests? They aren’t this and point toward demand planning. Both things can be true at the same time.
You’re not wrong for not wanting to do this and wanting something different. The role just needs what it needs. You do that in that position till you’re ready and the your dream position opens up. When it does, you move.
The conversation went smoother than I expected. Separating position from person changes the entire framing. I think it makes the other person see their role and aspirations from a 3rd person lens for a second. Every time I’m needed to have a tough conversation with someone, this is the framing I’m resorting to till the time I find something better.