Want a promotion? 3 mistakes to avoid and 1 powerful way to get your promotion faster

So, are you feeling ready for a promotion?  Is it long overdue or is it a new aspiration?  Either way, if you haven’t quite yet landed the promotion you desire, now is not the time to just wait it out.  Even if you are certain that it is imminent or if you are already performing as the “temporary fill-in” for the elevated role (you don’t officially have the title, authority, salary, etc. that goes along with all the responsibility and extra work you have taken on), you must be proactive in your effort to land that promotion.  So what can you do?  In my nearly 20 year career as an HR professional, time and again I would watch (and listen) to people make a few common mistakes that would work against their case for promotability …

1.  They express readiness for the elevated role based on their potential to perform at a higher level vs. on actual results that evidences that their knowledge or skill level is beyond what is expected in their current role.

2.  They express entitlement based on years of service or experience vs. on personal traits that demonstrate solid leadership skills.

3.  They show confidence in their ability to influence others only when they actually acquire the tangible rewards that typically follow a promotion (title, more spacious office, a seat at the executive-level staff meeting table, staff, money, etc.)

It’s so easy to show confidence and a cooperative spirit when you state your case to “the powers that be” that you want a promotion.  But once you make the case, the waiting can be agony and it can be challenging to maintain your confidence and cooperative spirit.  Once you let it be known that you are interested in something more than what you already have, you may start to wonder or over-think what those in authority are thinking about you.  You may feel vulnerable to harsh feedback, rejection, or a perception that you might become disgruntled if you don’t get the promotion you want.

All of this fear and worry can be avoided if you consistently do 1 thing BEFORE you express your interest in a promotion…

demonstrate a state of being that is compelling to and benefits others.  

So what the heck is that?  Let me explain…

Doing the responsibilities of a leader (or your current job better), is never the fastest path to a promotion.  It may certainly make you appreciated in the role you have (but on the other hand, it may set you up to be taken advantage of – nothing like having someone around you can always throw extra work to and not have to pay them for it), but it won’t demonstrate that you are ready for elevated responsibilities.  Beyond adjusting your attitude to be more professional or increasing your capacity to do more work – being a leader is about demonstrating (being) the intention you have for another by leading them.  Adjust how you are being with those you serve and that is what will get you noticed and trusted to be a leader.

So, how can you achieve this?

Think about what being an effective leader in the role that you aspire to looks like – come up with your unique definition of what a leader in that role is. Behave within that definition every day, with every exchange you have with others.  Live – BE – that version of a leader within the role you have and raise your hand for opportunities outside of your usual job to bring that behavior forward in service to others – without regard for what you will or can get in return.  Trust that those who demonstrate strong leadership skills (strong service skills) will naturally be pulled along quickly.  If you are not pulled along or approached for leadership roles as quickly as you would prefer, then you can still initiate those discussions and when you do – do so with a solid history and track record of real examples of how you have demonstrated leadership qualities.

Want to nail down your definition of leadership and start living – being – a strong candidate for a leadership position you aspire to?  Contact me for a free consultation on how to get yourself promotion ready!  888/560-8233 x101 or email me at info@indigoforce.com