Me : Yes, people do this. Using maps to identify where they need to go and what sort of skills (aptitude) and attitudes they will need.
X : I mean personal?
Me : Oh, well people have used mapping to help identify their future path / direction.
Me : OK, now I'm curious. Just tell me.
X : Can I use mapping to get a pay raise?
Me : I don't see why not, it's seems to be a useful skill and people have used it to identify what skills will become important i.e. in the IT space learn Lambda.
X : Why?
Me : I rarely hear people talk about the topic because most companies realise the importance of keeping good people. I'm assuming you're "good" as you''re trying to learn more. That's positive.
Me : Hmmm. Do you know what does?
X : That's what I was hoping mapping would tell me.
Me : Can I ask something personal?
X : Sure.
Me : When did you last get a pay raise?
X : Five years ago.
Me : Oh.
Me : Yes and no.
X : Why no?
Me : Your firm doesn't value you, it probably hates you. Anything beyond a couple of years is a signal that they want you to go. Five years is like ... well unheard of. You need to find somewhere else to work.
X : Why yes?
X : Yes
Me : Learn serverless, AWS Lambda etc. Polish up your CV and get yourself on the market. That'll be your fastest route to a pay rise.
Me : You could but that requires them to listen to you. They're not.
X : How can you say that?
Me : Ever bought a tennis racket with a plan of playing tennis but you never got around to it?
Me : Is that tennis racket currently in the back of some cupboard gathering dust?
X : Yes.
Me : You're that tennis racket. You need to move on, find someone who wants to play tennis.
Me : The economy has improved. You're in a relationship where you're the tennis racket hoping that someday the person will play tennis. Don't waste your life on this, you have limited time. Move on.
Firstly, try to do what you love.
Secondly, never ask for a pay raise -it's not your but the employers responsibility to keep you happy. If you're unhappy, find a new job and move on. It will also help keep your skills up to date. Use maps for this.
Me : Once and once only. But, you really to need to think carefully about that. A better path is to go. Remember, the employer didn't value you until you presented them with the new job offer.
Me : It's not your role to tell you how much the company values you. If you do ask, then make sure it's a figure that will cause people to gasp. Remember, if someone is offering you a role then they want you. Don't be afraid to move.
Me : And?
X : Don't people value loyalty?
Me : Do you own a broadband subscription?
X : Yes
Me : Ever noticed how the offers are for "new customers only"
X : Yes
Me : Now you know the value of loyalty.
Me : That's the absolute bare minimum to lead. Of course, that assumes your role is to lead.
Me : Lots. I might be a caretaker i.e. maintain what exists. Or, I might be a corporate raider in which case the job is value extraction. I wouldn't care about culture, strategy, awareness or people in such a role. Leading is a very specific role.
Me : Only in the hand waving sense of "leadership". Just because you're given corporate authority over an area or a group of people doesn't a) make you a leader or b) mean the job is about leadership.
Me : No, I don't. I just happen to know it's a two way street. You might gain value when others give you loyalty but if you give none in return - that's just exploitation. Don't expect to keep noshing on that free lunch.