Step 1: The Concept of “Promote-ability”
Lesson 1: Every job adds value to an employer in one or more of ten ways.
- Generate income
- Cut costs
- Save time
- Make work easier
- Solve a specific problem
- Be more competitive
- Build relationships/an image
- Expand business
- Attract new customers
- 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.