In my first 1:1 with my current manager (who is also my favorite manager, albeit only my 2nd "real" manager in my short career) I expressed my career aspirations and my style of work / learning / contributing. I expressed my ambitions and he was able to guide me to projects that I could contribute to and/or lead to earn promotions.

He does a great job of communicating top level decision making to us and keeping us in the loop, he's also great at shielding us from upper management.