Management Training - How to get the promotion you REALLY want!

by Mark Evenden at Developing People

You may have recently started out on your career journey and want your first promotion or you may be well on your way but would like a broader or more senior leadership role. Burt how do you go about getting the promotion you want, and what things should you consider? The following are a few hints and tips that I have picked up over the years that will hopefully help you on your way!

1. Look at the bigger picture. I believe it’s important to start by asking yourself what you want to achieve, not just at work but also outside, with your family, friends, where you want to live etc. The reason for this is will a promotion fit with your broader life goals? Taking on a more senior role will require some sacrifices (certainly in the short term), and you need to be clear whether or not the price is worth paying (and my own personal experience is sometimes it isn’t!).

2. Understand the role you want. Do you really know what it will be like in a more senior role? Are you prepared to take on additional responsibility, be more flexible, cope with the organisation’s politics, work the extra hours etc? My own experience is that the best way to find out is to ask. Find people who are already doing a similar role and ask them what they think and feel about the job. They will be able to help you think through whether or not the job is right for you.

3. Get a mentor. Mentors are invaluable. They understand how the organisation works and have a great network of contacts. I have had mentors in the past and they acted as my critical friend, commenting on things you I did well and identifying things that I could improve on. They also helped to introduce me to the right people, and open the right doors.

4. Tell people how good you are! I, like most find this uncomfortable and unnatural. However, senior managers and others within an organisation may not know you or your achievements. Therefore, make sure you have your name on a least one important success and let others know about it.

5. Work outside your comfort zone. Try to do things that you haven’t done before. Offer to work on a cross functional project, stand in for your boss, get involved in a presentation to the board. I have found that the things that built my confidence the most were those that were uncomfortable and even downright scary!

6. Keep learning. Attend management training programmes aimed at developing the skills you need. In addition, read books, attend seminars, and become a member of a professional body. In this way you will demonstrate to the organisation that you are committed to learning, development and continuous improvement.

7. Be a great resource. People get noticed when they take responsibility for issues and resolve them. Think about the problems that your organisations faces. Identify some solutions and present them with your recommended course of action to your boss.

8. If you really want that promotion ask for it! Your boss will not be a mind reader so unless you let them know what your hopes and aspirations are, they will not be able to help you.

9. Finally, have a contingency plan. Your organisation may not have the right opportunities in the short to medium term, or alternatively you may find yourself redundant as the result of a restructure or downsizing process. But don’t give up. Remember, there are many different ways of achieving your career goals, just as there are many different ways of travelling from town to the next. I have been made redundant twice, and have had to take a sideways step as well as a backwards step (in terms of salary) before, but ultimately I now have the job I always wanted.