is that same as it is for people with micromanagers: Figure out why it's happening, talk to your boss about whether/how it can change, and then believe what you're told. You've done the first two, it sounds like, and now it's about deciding whether you want the job under these terms. Can you live with it reasonably happily once you accept it won't change? Or would you rather go elsewhere? Ah, okay, so the "avail" you're looking for isn't feedback, it's success translating to advancement. Then I think the choices here are outlined -- request advancement within the position you have, find growth outside of your work hours, or move on. Is there anything specific at your workplace you'd like to do? Not even "another job with advancement," but a project, etc. That's also something you can actively seek without moving. "I have to figure out what needs to be done and how to do it in the big picture context" The silver lining is you're being forced to hone skills that will give you great ROR. A good manager does work with you on goals and guidance, but since you don't have that you're getting a ton of skills working autonomously without needing permission to grab the reins. I had one of those. Then came Annual Review Time when he dinged me for all sorts of things I didn't do that he "expected" me to do but never once mentioned (and no, they weren;t in the job description either.)