It would be great if all managers were effective career coaches. Don’t expect your manager to coach you in your career. You can take control and be your own effective career coach.

Ask for feedback. We often do not get enough feedback from our boss about our performance. You can increase the volume of feedback by simply asking for it. Many bosses are uncomfortable with giving negative feedback, so asking (and responding professionally) will increase his or her comfort with giving you feedback. Ask “What could I do differently to achieve a better outcome?” You can increase the quality of feedback by asking on a specific project or deliverable.

Learn a new skill. When you learn a new skill you are continually becoming more valuable in your career. Whether you are early on in your career and mastering some fundamental skills to your development, or adding on to a large portfolio of skills. Grow your capability and learn something new.

Take on a new responsibility. You may not always feel in control of what responsibilities you have been given. When you see something you believe you can take off you boss’ plate, ask if you can take over a responsibility. You may only get a piece, and continuing to take on new responsibilities helps your boss.

Keep a record of your accomplishments. Every month or quarter make a note of your big achievements in your career file. You may not use all these accomplishments on your resume, and it will be easier to remember and share them if you’ve written them down when they happen. Your accomplishments are great for self reviews and your own argument for raises and promotions.

Help others. You can separate yourself from other leaders by working on being a good career coach. Use these same tactics that work for yourself to support others and their career development. Offer feedback. Give away responsibility. Give away credit.

Do not wait around for someone else to develop your career. Take control, help yourself and others.