The first step to wanting to get promoted is to ensure that you get noticed. I know you're thinking that's not rocket science. But in my experience of being a trainer, management consultant, and executive leadership coach, this fundamental truth escapes most employees.
And when they get noticed, it is often for all the wrong reasons. Like, you get noticed for coming in late to work; you get noticed for overreaching; you get noticed for turning up to meetings unprepared; you get noticed for waffling when your boss asks you questions; you get noticed for not being able to complete your tasks; and the list goes on.
No matter how special your relationship is with your employer, remember–you are only as good as your last piece of work. And your boss is noticing all your movements. Therefore, getting noticed for all the right reasons becomes an important daily target, especially for young executives.
Let your results speak for you.
When you start at a job, or in a new organisation, buckle down and get a few small victories under your belt immediately. You may work in a company that insists on delivering outstanding work quality. This is important. But I am not talking about this. Focus on the smaller things that make an immediate internal impact. For this, your successes do not need to be perfect or pretty. Scrappy wins will do
What does this mean? Well, simply put, as soon as you get the job, think about what it really entails. Identify the one or two important things that will immediately improve the work flow or working systems in your company. Think them through and offer a solution or options to your employer. It may be a simple one. It may be something they have already tried, even before you joined them.
But for many employers, the fact that you actively thought about some improvement ideas will excite them. Next, leading others to do and be more, is also a very good way of getting noticed. If you can turn on the charm, or if you are able to connect with your peers, and get them to buy-in to some improvement ideas, this places you on the map. Your boss will mark you down as someone to watch for further growth; someone with high performance potential. There is nothing quite like results to get noticed. Accomplishing something of value is how you earn the right to put yourself forward for promotion.
Admit your failures.
I am not asking you to court failure. But if you do end up failing, like we all do every so often, do not focus on apportioning blame. Do not be "reactive." Be "proactive." Stephen R. Covey says the first habit of a highly effective person is the habit of being proactive. Of course, he is absolutely and unequivocally right.
If you mess up, put your hands up immediately and say you messed up. Develop courage from the onset to say that you made a mistake, and be prepared to face the consequences. For example, when you make a mistake, your boss might "blacklist" you for a while. But you will need to accept this. There is no escaping it. However, trying to worm your way out of your blunder only makes for a greater failure. As an employer, afteryears of managing people, I have – like many other employers – developed the ability to sniff out the liars, cheats and the morally bankrupt. If you make a mistake and try to cover it up, the negative consequences attached to being found out, is far greater.
What's your brand?
You know that everyone gets branded, don't you? In every office, there is the conscientious worker; the punctual uncle; the rigorous lady on the third floor; the meticulous accountant; the go to person for anything to do with HR matters; the office clown and so on. So, what is your brand? What do you want to be known for?
The skills that set you apart and the things that you are good at, are what attract people to you. Sometimes you might find it hard to write down what you are good at. But if you can do this, it becomes a valuable tool for you to revisit regularly. This way, you can focus on these qualities and skills. Through my research for my executive leadership coaching sessions, I found many resources, like psychometric tools that help us understand our own strengths.
So, if you want that promotion, the first key is to get noticed for all the right reasons. Gather small wins. Accomplish things of some value. Own up to your mistakes and face the consequences. Be proactive. And, focus on your strengths and understand your brand.