Start the conversation.

If I can add something useful, make all your communications by design (you are active) rather than by circumstance or chance (you are passive). If you can learn and grow your opportunities with a specific manager/leader, make a deliberate effort to schedule time with them. Create topics and bring questions, but make sure to check in with her periodically (for example, suggest setting aside 15 minutes every week in her diary to catch up, as you want to learn from her and make a positive impact on the business). Can you meet in person? Even better. Do what you can. Increase your sphere of influence. Reflect on and bring topics to discuss with her, learning from her each week and from other key influencers. I’ve scheduled many sessions with key people and (even if they don’t have anything to say), I have! Ask her: “How can I help with your problems?”, “Can we meet for me to learn from your experience?”. It establishes bonding.