Let’s start with a simple but important idea on earning a promotion. You must earn the next level, title change, and/or increase in compensation. No one owes it to you, and you don’t go to the store to “get” it. That said, there are actions and mindsets that are more likely to move you to where you want to be and deserve.
Earning a Promotion
- Be Clear on What You Want
Ambition is not a negative trait. Communicating to people with power and influence what you are aiming for (more responsibility, influence, a larger team, higher title, and/or increase compensation) shows you feel ready and are hungry. It makes your goals clear to those who can advocate for you. Your boss, his/her boss, HR, and the heads of departments relevant to your work should have a clear picture of what you aspire to and your timetable. These are conversations, not threats and never whining. - Own Projects
Become the lead, an originator of a big idea or new initiative. Take something hard from beginning to completion. Give it a name, develop a visual look and consistency to the work, so it is easily recognized and attributed to you. Be the go-to person on this project. Strive to work on something that will bring revenue, efficiency, or prestige to the organization. Be tenacious and accountable. Proving your value is good for your internal image and great on your resume.
- Be a Leader Among Peers
See co-workers as colleagues not competitors. Be open to helping others succeed. Prove that people trust you, want to learn from you, and are eager to work with you. Demonstrate that you can identify, attract, manage, and retain talent. Show these leadership traits and you will be considered for leadership roles.
- Make Your Boss Look and Feel Good
Take work off her plate. Give her credit and praise. Show, in words and thought, you want to operate as a team. Argue privately and present publicly as positive and on the same track. Invest in her success (and yours). Help your boss get promoted, so you are the obvious replacement. Be aware of her goals and aspirations and help her get there.
- Network for Success
It’s not just what you know but also who. Create a networking strategy that will get you formal and casual exposure to decision makers. This can be as simple as passing by their offices early or late in the day, stopping to let them know the success of an event, or simple talking about common ground. Attempt to have more formal one-on-ones. Many people fear asking for such meetings. It is my experience senior people are eager to mentor and flattered by the ask. Externally you want to have exposure to others in your field to get a better handle on the dynamics of the workforce and new ideas. You also will get a sense of where you stand in the crowd. You might be surprised.
- Demonstrate Self-Awareness
Your actions need to prove you are a mature and sensitive human being capable of empathy and self-regulation. Emotional intelligence is an essential trait for anyone wanting to advance in their career. While some come to it naturally it can be learned and expanded. Without self-awareness the employee is often overlooked, marginalized, or labeled. Testing, seminars, reading, and just plain practice can make the difference for earning a promotion.
- Be a Constant and Curious Learner
People with the most creative ideas are often the most curious; interested in many things, especially in the field they operate in. Organizations need employees who fit this bill and they often promote them to prestigious and powerful levels. In order to make yourself ready, you must be willing and able to dig deeper and broader, have a system for staying current — be it formal education, podcasts, reading and/or interaction with thought leaders. There is a discipline and sense of adventure in the activities.
- Own Executive Presence
Described as gravitas with integrity, executive presence is all about looking and acting the part. Aiming to rise to the next level? Act like the next level in your dress, communication, and demeanor. Survey people more senior than yourself. How do they behave in times of stress? How do they deliver good and bad news? Why do others follow them?
- Gossip and Politics
Want to stay out of the fray? Avoid gossip, especially about co-workers and work situations. It is petty and disloyal; makes people wonder what you are saying behind their backs. Be Switzerland — neutral about the politics of the office. Listen to all perspectives being careful not to take sides too quickly or openly. Show loyalty to the organization and your boss. Read the landscape of who’s in and who’s out. Work to understand where the real power lies and make the information part of your earning a promotion strategy. Observe and think rather than talk.
- Keep a Record of Your Accomplishments
You’re sure you will never forget that big push of nine months ago — but you will and so will your supervisor. Keep a running tally of your successes, contributions, and the accolades that came your way. You need it for your self-evaluation and should have it top of mind whenever a discussion of your next steps takes place or in an interview. Create a file and make regular (at least once a month) entries.
These are a few essential tips for earning a promotion you want and deserve. They become part of your career strategy for the short and long-term. They need to be a part of your everyday behavior, not something you address just at performance evaluation time. It takes discipline and desire. It can be interesting and fun when embraced with the right attitude and honorable motives.
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