Sure you are talented, but promotions are for personality more than ability. If you're eager, thoughtful and perma-motivated you're in with a shout.
But shouting isn't necessarily the right way to go about it: relentless self-promotion can tire your superiors out and leave you overlooked. Here's some fuel for thought on the tricky balancing act of getting noticed at work, for all the right reasons.
To get anywhere on the career ladder you need to have the basics locked down. You need to write well. Speak well. Present well. Dress well. Have impeccable person hygiene.
If you're scruffy or stinky, chances are you're going nowhere. Provided you're happy with yourself in these areas, go for it. If not, brush up, sharpish.
“don’t outshine the master“ has been profession stepping stool guidance since the 1700s at any rate, when Louis VIX had his Finance Minister whacked for having cooler gatherings in his flashier castle. Concurring the 48 Laws of Power by Robert Green, all managers come pressing individual uncertainties you should be careful about.
However heaps of managers, and most customers, will disclose to you they are cheerful to be tested. The best approach to play the test: Don't simply deviate, be aware of inner selves.
Get super-readied to present the defense in ways that move the verbal confrontation far from conclusions into information, point of reference and cases. In the event that you have a superior method for getting things done, then demonstrate it. In private. Continuously be modest – and don't whine if the supervisor assumes a portion of the acknowledgment at last.
It's really important to note that senior people don't like to repeat themselves. But when you're being given direction, if there's the slightest ambiguity, address it there and then until you are 100% sure.
Take comprehensive notes. Taking notes is not only helpful to cement things in your memory, but it's a really good visual cue that you are diligent and care.
Takeaway: The time to ask lots of questions is at the initial brief, in that sweet spot where it could be their own fault for not explaining it right.
According to Donald Asher's Who Gets Promoted, Who Doesn't, and Why – you should volunteer for everything. Solid advice. But your ability to say no, seeing the full picture and juggling priorities, will mark you out as having leadership potential.
Managing up – a.k.a managing expectations – is a vital skill. Don't grin and bear it through unreasonable demands. You'll never get promoted if you're the one who gets dumped on daily. Instead, explain what you have on your plate and thrash out the real priority levels before setting expectations you are confident you can hit.
Takeaway: Set yourself up to exceed expectations, not stress and struggle.
