Thats just the way the system works.
You might hear this when you get a mediocre raise or get passed over for a promotion. It really means, I thought you deserved more but couldn't convince MY boss of that . . . please don't quit on me.
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I cant let you take that opportunity/promotion because you're too valuable.
This is one of the big problems in business . . . you do such good work at a lower-level job that your boss would be SCREWED if you moved up.
So when he says this, that's really what he believes. He knows you deserve a promotion and more money . . . but he also knows that you are making him look GREAT and replacing you with someone else could expose his weaknesses.
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You're working too hard.
Your boss could say this if hes worried that youre making your job look too easy . . . like you really dont NEED a manager
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You don't want to do that.
If you show too much initiative or want to pitch an idea to someone over his head, he could be worried youll make him look bad . . . like YOU should be HIS boss. (And he cant have that! Hes still got two years left on his PT Cruiser lease.)
