The 5 unspoken rules to
getting promoted
Working hard for a promotion is a given. Getting people to promote you is a
different story
Jonathan Yabut
Published 6:44 PM, October 14, 2014
Updated 1:09 PM, January 02, 2015
We all aspire to get promoted at one point in our careers.
We want it not just because it means fatter paychecks and bigger
responsibilities, but more so because it validates our worth in the company.
After all, we thrive with recognition and praise.
However, how do you nail down that coveted position when you are already
working your hardest? How do you make sure that this role will be given to you
and not to eager-beaver Barbara?
Missing a promotion that you think you deserve is painful (and is also a typical
reason for folks to leave their jobs). Remember, working your hardest to get
that promotion should be easy. Getting people to promote you on the other
hand is a different story.
If you are that high-flyer who thinks that his options are confined to either
getting promoted or getting promoted, here are some unspoken tips and
pointers that you may need to seal the deal:
Good talent will never be easily brushed aside no matter how bad a
company is.
1. Show that you want it
My first call to order with my boss every time I land a new role or job is to
vocalize my aspirations in the company: why am I here, and whats my goal in
the next 3, 5 and 10 years.
I clearly state during my first one-on-one discussion that Im the most
absorbent sponge shell ever use, and thats because Im keen to climb the
corporate ladder. Indeed, the first step to getting promoted is to make your
boss fully aware that you are expecting it.
Just like any marriage or business contract, the key is to be clear with what
you want from the very start. When you show that you want something and
work hard for it, people around you will behave with it in mind.
Of course, in a more conservative workplace setting, there are likely to be
those who arent big fans of people who vocalize or assert what they want.
In some companies, people may find you too competitive that you start
becoming a threat. There is a clear line between being "desperate to be
promoted" versus "deserving to get promoted.
In these occasions, be mindful to work even more closely with your team,
because you will need them. Offer a helping hand with your counterparts
when needed, and never keep information all to yourself.
You want people who will support your promotion campaign, not crabs who
will give you bad feedback when HR asks.
Finally, if you're stuck in a company that promotes people based on nepotism
or favoritism, channel the Harvey Specter in you and show your boss that
you're his ally in getting the same thing he wants to also get promoted.
Good talent will never be easily brushed aside no matter how bad a company
is. People will notice what you're up to, and if your boss realizes that he can
only get the job done thanks to you, then the battle is already half won.
FLY HIGH. What's your battle plan?
2. Agree on your deliverables
Youre fortunate if you work in world-class multinational companies that have
advanced structures which quantify soft skills (leadership, influence) and hard
skills (business acumen, achievement of sales targets). They use a point
system that grades competencies from a junior to a senior role.
However, if you work for a boutique or start-up company that doesnt have a
formal employee appraisal, you will likely need to set that up yourself.
In my personal experiences, I engage my boss ( I see myself growing in this
company and Id like to know what will it take to get to a senior role) and
agree on a contract (If I excel in #1, #2, and #3 deliverables, then I can be
considered for promotion).
But dont just stop with a one-time, big-time discussion. Catch up with your
manager ideally every 3 months to check your progress (are you meeting his
expectations? What do your other colleagues think about your work output)?
Always keep score because its better to know early what needs to get fixed
before its too late.
3. Dont just be good today; show that you can be good tomorrow
The Peter Principle is a management theory named after Laurence Peter,
which claims that a performing employee will keep on getting promoted up to
the point that he becomes incompetent in the new position.
For example, lets take Matthew, a hardworking designer dubbed as the most
creative in the company and is beloved by clients. The company promotes
Matthew as a team manager but realizes months later that he is failing in his
role. Matthew is a design deity, but he lacked leadership and business
acumen which are required of managers, and not necessarily of designers.
Managers today are aware of the Peter Principle, and their goal is to stop that
from happening. They promote staff not just because they are brilliant at their
current job, but because they areready for a bigger role.
Promotable employees initiate tasks beyond what is needed, and with minimal
supervision. They start showing signs that they can strategize, and not just
execute. They start exhibiting behaviors of a leader, and not just of a doer.
In every bit of their action, they start wearing a corporate hat and think about
the companys welfare, and not just their own careers. When vying for a
promotion, your message should be clear: I am ready for the unknown.
4. Manage the politics
Your promotion doesnt rest solely in your bosss hands, especially if you are in
a big company. The boss of your boss will need to approve your promotion.
The boss of the boss of your boss will likely need to approve it, too.
Representatives from HR department will also be there on the day of
deliberations (and yes, you should know by now that most companies have
promotion boards in which department heads or managers deliberate and
loosely vote).
Ask yourself: How much do these guys know about you? Do they know that
youre the departments rock star? Do they know that youve been managing
your team well whenever your boss is on leave?
MANAGE UP. Hold yourself, and your manager, accountable
These things matter because promotion boards decide largely on anecdotes
events and experiences that you have pulled off in the past that indicate your
readiness to kick ass in the new position.
When aiming for the prize, make sure your visibility and presence are felt in
the organization consistently. Consider these VIPs as your sponsors and
youre Katniss or Peeta in The Hunger Games.
You dont need to spread your peacock feathers to get yourself known, but
taking a proactive role to engage them when the moment is apt those short
elevator moments, those opportunities to reply to an e-mail, and those
moments of contributing meaningful ideas during a meeting will helpfully
remind them why youre worth it.
5. Keep your boss accountable
I personally believe that there are two reasons why an employee fails to get
promoted even when the time is due: his manager failed to develop him, or he
was wrongly hired. The first case happens more often than not.
Heres the gist: your boss should know if youre ripe for promotion, but that
doesnt mean hes just going to sit around and watch you grow. Ultimately, he
is responsible for your learning and development.
Just like Hollywood, your boss is a talent manager and you are his star. You
are Luke Skywalker and he is Obi-Wan Kenobi. He should be able to identify
your strengths and weaknesses. He should be exposing you to projects that
will stretch your abilities so that you are ready for a bigger role (and so that
you dont become a victim of the Peter Principle).
He should be increasing your visibility in the company (did you help him make
some slides for a presentation? He should be tasking you to present a couple
of those so that his boss will finally get a taste of your brilliance).
The next time you have a one-on-one discussion with your boss, ask him
about his development plan and his time frame. Its an altogether different
story (and different article) if he doesnt.
At the end of the day
Never feel ashamed of talking about promotion because it is your right and
responsibility to manage your career. Bosses love this because it means
youre out for the kill.
Remember, youre not asking a favor from your company to get you promoted.
You are simply reminding the responsible parties that you deserve career
development. You deserve the credit for what its worth. And when you do get
promoted, dont forget to pass it on to the one next in line. Rappler.com
