Here’s a Boost for Your Next Advancement
If you are hoping to move up, think like your boss.
What can you do to put the odds of a promotion in your favor? Start with a self-inventory based on the perspective of your supervisor and company leaders. What are they looking at when they make the decision to promote?
Your boss wants to promote someone who solves their problems. When you identify an issue and bring it to the attention of your supervisor, do you also bring solutions? Do you anticipate problems and go out of your way to solve them?
Your boss wants to promote someone who embodies company values. Are you thinking about what the company stands for and using those values to guide your decisions? Leaders are visible and expected to “walk the walk” for those around them.
Your boss wants to promote someone who reduces risk in the long run. Are you thinking about the biggest risks to the organization, such as marketplace risks, production flaws, legal risks, and others, and actively looking for ways to reduce them? Does your honesty and integrity protect the organization from anything that might undermine its reputation?
Your boss wants your promotion to be supported by others. You don’t need to be “popular” in the usual sense, but will your coworkers cheer you on to success or grit their teeth at your promotion? If you suspect the latter, start doing more to support others right now.
Your boss wants to promote someone who is coachable. Since no promotion is ever seamless, are you prepared to take direct and honest feedback and course-correct if necessary?
If you plan to advance your career, you have no time to waste. Find a mentor who is honest with you and work through these five attributes systematically. See how you measure up and make changes to align with “boss thinking.” Then make sure your supervisor knows about your ambition and the value you bring to the company.
If you take these steps, you’ll go farther and get there faster too.
This post is written by David Lennox, Dean of the School of Business at Walla Walla University. Did you know that as a member of the AYP community, you can get 15% off your MBA at Walla Walla University? Learn more and be sure to mention AYP if you apply.
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