Working under management that doesn’t support your growth can be frustrating and demotivating. While it’s possible to learn from any situation, being in an environment where growth is actively hindered can be detrimental to your career development and personal well-being.

Here are some signs that you might be in such a situation:

1. Lack of Mentorship: If your manager doesn’t provide guidance, feedback, or opportunities for skill development, it can be challenging to grow professionally.
2. Limited Opportunities: When there are few opportunities for advancement, learning, or challenging projects, your career growth may stagnate.
3. Micromanagement: Constant scrutiny and control from your manager can stifle creativity and prevent you from taking initiative or learning from your mistakes.
4. Toxic Environment: If the work culture is toxic, with high levels of stress, negativity, or distrust, it can impede your ability to focus on growth and development.
5. Ignoring Feedback: If your manager dismisses your ideas, concerns, or feedback, it can indicate a lack of support for your growth and development.
6. No Recognition: When your contributions go unnoticed or unappreciated, it can be demoralizing and discourage you from putting in extra effort.
7. Mismatched Values: If your values and goals don’t align with those of your manager or the organization, it can be difficult to find fulfillment and motivation in your work.

To foster growth, you typically need a manager who possesses a combination of leadership skills, strategic thinking, and an ability to nurture talent. Here are some qualities to look for:

1. Visionary Leadership: A manager who can articulate a clear vision for the team or organization and inspire others to work towards it.
2. Strategic Thinking: Someone who can identify opportunities for growth and develop plans to capitalize on them, while also being adaptable to changes in the market or industry.
3. Empowerment and Delegation: A manager who trusts their team members and empowers them to take ownership of their work, fostering a culture of accountability and innovation.
4. Communication Skills: Effective communication is essential for aligning teams, sharing the vision, providing feedback, and resolving conflicts.
5. Adaptability: A manager who can navigate through uncertainty and change, adjusting strategies and approaches as needed to achieve growth objectives.
6. Continuous Learning: A growth-oriented manager should be committed to their own development as well as that of their team, staying updated on industry trends and best practices.
7. Collaboration and Networking: Building strong relationships both internally and externally can open doors for partnerships, collaborations, and knowledge sharing that can fuel growth.
8. Results-Oriented: While fostering growth, a manager should also be focused on achieving measurable outcomes and driving performance improvements.
9. Emotional Intelligence: Understanding and managing emotions, both their own and those of their team members, can facilitate better relationships and decision-making.
10. Innovation and Creativity: Encouraging a culture of innovation and creativity can lead to breakthroughs and competitive advantages in the market.

Overall, a growth-focused manager should be a combination of a visionary leader, a strategic thinker, an empowering coach, and an effective communicator.