You have recently observed that your peers are getting recognition from the senior leadership, and even a promotion or two has been granted, but you believe that you have earned it too. You work hard at your job, are dedicated to the team, and are very dependable. You are asking yourself, “Why didn’t I get promoted or get recognition like the others?”
“Opportunities don’t happen, you create them.” Chris Grosser, entrepreneur
Just doing your job everyday to a high standard alone won’t get you promoted. You must show you are part of the team and be engaged around the company. Do you have the skills for advancement? What are you doing above and beyond your normal duties? Working on a high visibility project can get you in front of senior leaders where you can develop and show off your skills.
Be more involved around the company. It’s the outgoing personalities that often get recognized as those with more potential. Never overlook an opportunity to network in the company. Continue to engage with your leadership, your peers and others around the organization. You never know until you start to talk to people where a chance to excel may be.
Staying in the same company for a significant amount of your career means you have to get noticed for your potential. The alternative for advancement is applying for a higher position in another company, proving your experience and skills are the correct match.
Inevitably, we all have to deal with favoritism and bias. Unfortunately, senior leaders will seemingly have favorites on the team. These favorites are often considered their “go to” people to get things done quickly and to a certain standard that is desired. We must overcome the stigma of this issue, change our mindset, and get ourselves noticed so we can advance in the company.
Consider the following scenario: Gary shows up to work every day to get his tasks done usually above standard and always early. His supervisor, Natalie, shows him great praise for his work and often sends more work to him because he is reliable. Gary works his required hours every day and causes no problems for Natalie. Another team member, William, doesn’t always meet the deadline. He is sometimes not responsive to his team mates on work projects. However, William works on employee resource teams and is always quick to be out front talking about the company’s vision. He attends every after work social event. William loves the company’s social improvement program and is very involved with extra project work around the company. He often works closely with the VPs of Operations and Communications on volunteer projects. When it comes time for a promotion, who gets it: Gary or William?
In the above scenario, do we get upset if William gets the promotion? Never. We can always vote with our feet and move on. However, our mindset should always be that we can control our actions only. We can not control the actions of others. What can we do to improve our chances of a promotion or recognition? What do we need to do to give us an edge over the others? What skills do we need to develop, and what can we be doing better?
What Can You Change to Increase Your Promotion Potential and Advance Your Career?
Engage with your leadership and around the organization
- Don’t be shy about talking with the senior leadership. Be seen and be heard. Share an idea and don’t back down from getting the face-time you need. You are competing for this attention.
- Never miss an opportunity to build your network up, down and across the company.
- Go to as many social events as you can, both during work and after work. This can show how balanced you are. You are not all work. You can be fun and help everyone else have a good time. Make you sure you are having genuine fun at these events.
Set yourself apart from your peers
- Keep refining your soft skills especially communication, adaptability and interpersonal skills. Ensure you are self-aware of your words and actions.
- To get recognition by leadership, you must be working on projects they are interested in. Ensure you are speaking and presenting at milestone meetings. Don’t let anyone else do it – they are your competition.
- A high visibility project will develop you, and you can highlight your abilities and skills across the organization.
- Pitch an idea that can save money, generate additional revenue or make some other incredible improvement. Rehearse your proposal and ensure your facts and assumptions are correct. Develop an easy to understand course of action.
- Senior leaders want to be sure you will be helpful during the tough times. What is your reaction when something goes wrong? How do you handle a crisis?
Support your leadership’s goals and vision
- Support the goals of your supervisor and one more level up. Don’t work against them. Providing all-in support to them may give you an edge later with a promotion or a limited individual development opportunity.
- The entire team must be working together to accomplish the vision of the leadership. Those who have their own agenda will often be dismissed as individuals. Senior leaders want team players who support their vision.
Change your mindset
- Do you realize that you can only control YOUR actions and YOUR thoughts? You can not control others.
- How do you see yourself, and how do you evaluate your contribution?
- What obstacles are holding you back from achieving great success?
If you only focus on getting your job done every day, you will find yourself going nowhere. Accomplishing your duties is important, but to get a promotion, you must be doing more. You must be seen, and you must show off the critical skills for the next level. Become a team player and be seen at social events, because it will be a great chance to network and grow your personal brand.
How can you be seen more in your organization by the leadership so you can be recognized and earn a promotion?
Please comment or email me at comment@stephenmclain.com.
Copyright 2019 – Stephen McLain
