Promotion
None of this is expert advice. It's what people worked out for themselves, usually the hard way — what actually helped, and what they'd tell someone standing where you are. Take what fits and leave the rest.
If you only read a few
Do not make yourself so essential to your current role that replacement is impossible, as this prevents advancement.
Employers hesitate to promote those they cannot afford to lose.
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- Avoid volunteering for undesirable tasks, as it can lead to being stuck in your current role without promotion.1
Ask customers how they plan to use a product to position yourself as an expert.
It sets you up as an expert.
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Ask coworkers for specific feedback on how to make working with you easier or less difficult.
It provides perspective on unknowingly annoying behaviors and helps fix pain points.
- Asking for feedback can be bad for positioning; instead, do post-mortems after projects to identify pain points linked to you and propose solutions.
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Continuously upgrade your skills and apply new knowledge in your domain instead of relying on old qualifications.
People who constantly learn and apply new knowledge become more eligible for promotion.
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Switch terminology from 'superiors' to 'managers' or 'senior team members' to help respect yourself more.
This may lead others to respect you more.
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Leave the company if a manager says you are too valuable to move or if there is a career ceiling.
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Be pleasant, helpful, and show up reliably to be a better coworker.
Many people are unpleasant, unhelpful, or absent even for small time commitments.
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Find a job with good managers where everyone pulls for each other's success rather than trying to game a toxic system.
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Present your achievements in a way that is meaningful to leadership's goals.
They may view your fantastic achievements as unimportant otherwise.
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If your company punishes hard work or rewards mediocrity, find a different employer that recognizes success.
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