Question: What is the #1 suggestion you’d give an employee who wants to pitch his or her boss on leading a new project?

There is a difference between average employees and great employees. Average employees identify problems/inefficiencies and bring them to their boss’ attention …great employees identify SOLUTIONS to problems/inefficiencies and present those solutions to their boss. If you want to lead a new project, you must be a great employee who has a reputation for developing solutions, not enumerating problems. That will give your boss the confidence to let you take the reins on a new project, knowing that you’ll end up eliminating any problems / inefficiencies that come up instead of creating new ones.