As a developer have you ever felt like you are being held back from a promotion that you so clearly deserve? As a leader do you ever wonder why the "kids" of today feel so impatient to get to the next level when it feels like they have only just started in their careers? Having dedicated my 20+ year career to building and leading great software development teams I have seen the full spectrum of misalignment between how technical professionals see their abilities relative to their career growth, and again how they are viewed by their leaders. So much of it is subjective and driven by unseen motivators. Too often the important conversations are avoided because they are hard and feel so personal - leading to fractured relationships and unrealised value. In this talk I will share a practical framework that technical professionals and leaders alike can use to help navigate the real or perceived gap between ambition and ability, and create opportunities for important conversations that can lead to fantastic outcomes for both. Key Takeaways: - Checklist for technology professionals to help them grow their careers at quick but "safe" pace - Checklist for leaders to help them maximise the potential of their talent - Conversation starters for leaders and their talent