Step 1: The Concept of “Promote-ability”

Lesson 1: Every job adds value to an employer in one or more of ten ways.

  1.  Generate income
  2.  Cut costs
  3.  Save time
  4.  Make work easier
  5.  Solve a specific problem
  6.  Be more competitive
  7.   Build relationships/an image
  8.   Expand business
  9.   Attract new customers
  10.   Retain existing customers

Lesson 2: The best person may not get the promotion.  A promotion is not a reward, it is a prediction of performance in a new assignment.  The hiring manager is evaluating benefits, costs, and risks among internal and external candidates.

Lesson 3: There is institution bias against internal hires.   An internal hire creates two hiring searches, while an external hire is only one.

Lesson 4: Irreplaceable people are not promote-able.    If your boss cannot do without you, then they won’t let you leave.

Lesson 5: As you move “up” in the organization, the less you rely on technical expertise, and the more on strategic thinking, people leadership, organizational management, data-driven decision making, and emotional intelligence [Connie link to slide]

Readings and Videos for Deeper Understanding

  •   Drucker, P. “Managing Oneself” Harvard Business Review
  •   Asher, D. (2007). Who Gets Promoted, Who Doesn’t, And Why
  •   Watkins, M. (June 2012). “How Managers Become Leaders”. Harvard Business Review
  •   Ready, Conger, and Hill. (June 2010). “Are You a High Potential?” Harvard Business Review.
  •   Beeson, J. (June 2009). “Why You Didn’t Get That Promotion”. Harvard Business Review.
  •   Milway, Gregory, Davis-Peccoud, and Yazbak. (December 2001). “Getting Ready For Your Next Assignment”. Harvard Business Review.
  •   Arruda, W. (March 25, 2014). “Be Promiscuous, Take Credit for Other’s Work and Other Ways To Get Promoted”. Forbes.
  •   Goldsmith, M. (2008). “How Can I Do a Better Job of Managing Up?”. Harvard Business School Publishing, Corp.
  • Cross and Thomas. (Jul-Aug 2011). “A Smarter Way to Network”. Harvard Business Review.