You’re in a 1:1 with your manager, and things are going just fine. You talk about the project and that other thing. Toward the end, she asks: “Anything else?”

And there is something else. You want to lead that new initiative. Or move to a different team. Or you’ve been thinking about what stands in the way of your promotion. The thought is right there, sitting in the back of your throat. You’re going to say it, and then… “Nope, all good.”

You get out of the call feeling a specific kind of regret. You rationalize it somehow and then tell yourself you’ll bring it up next time (you won’t).