top of page

NEXT LEVEL UP

How To Get Promoted

Image by HIVAN ARVIZU @soyhivan

What Best Describes Your Challenge?

  • Lorem ipsum, delorem...

  • Lorem ipsum, delorem...

  • Lorem ipsum, delorem...

  • Lorem ipsum, delorem...

  • ABC or something else even

Seven Fundamental Initiatives

  1. Clarify Your Ambitions & Map A Strategic Path.

  2. You Need A Growth Mindset

  3. Build A Strong & Broad Track Record

  4. Acquire Broader & Relevant Skills

  5. Develop Leadership & Executive Presence

  6. Invest in Networking

  7. CEO Focus

Headphones

SIDE BY SIDE!

Why One Person Gets Ahead.

"In this audio case study, we illustrate how two employees with almost identical backgrounds find themselves competing for the same promotion—and reveal the subtle distinctions that lead one to victory while the other gets left behind."

Promotion (9).jpg

1. Clarify Your Ambitions & Map a Strategic Path

  • Be Deliberate About Your Destination: Define your long-term career ambitions—don’t passively accept the default next step. Reflect on the roles you ultimately aspire to and the type of organization or sector that aligns with your goals.

  • Work for a Company That Provides Room to Progress: Choose environments with a track record of promoting from within or industries that are growing; opportunities are scarce in declining sectors or companies where advancement means waiting for someone else to leave. Organizations in high-growth, transformational phases often present more openings and accelerated promotion paths.

  • Develop a Concrete Roadmap: Identify required skills, qualifications, and types of experiences for your desired role. Set key milestones with realistic timelines and build in contingencies for changes in your organization or industry.

  • Regularly Reassess: Continually evaluate your progress and industry dynamics to ensure your path remains relevant—or pivot if necessary

Promotion (1).jpg

2. A Growth Mindset Is a Pre-Requisite

  • Embrace Continuous Learning: See challenges as opportunities for development rather than setbacks. Be willing to adapt, upskill, and see failures as feedback loops.

  • Be Open to Ideas from All Directions: Cultivate curiosity and a willingness to learn from peers, subordinates, and leaders in unrelated functions; innovation often derives from unexpected sources.

  • Leverage Coaches and Mentors: Consider working with a coach or mentor—this can help you recognize strengths, address blind spots, and accelerate your development. Many CEOs credit mentoring relationships with broadening their perspectives and overcoming limiting beliefs.

  • Seek and Act on Feedback: Actively request honest feedback to identify your blind spots, both technically and interpersonally, then take action. 

Promotion (2).jpg

3. Build a Strong & Broad Track Record

  • Deliver Results and Bridge Gaps: Promotions go to those who consistently deliver value. You don’t promote your bottom performer into the top job; you must be viewed as reliable, resourceful, and solution-focused, continually bridging operational or skills gaps.

  • Take on Stretch Projects: Volunteer for challenging assignments, lead complex initiatives, join task forces, or consider secondments that widen your exposure and impact.

  • Document and Communicate Achievements: Maintain a portfolio of your accomplishments—don’t expect others to remember your contributions. Make sure your successes are visible to key decision-makers.

Promotion (3).jpg

4. Acquire Broader & Relevant Skills

  • Actively Bridge Your Skills Gaps: Identify what experience and expertise the next-level job requires—then systematically work to acquire them. This may involve gaining additional credentials, engaging in high-impact projects, or pursuing structured learning.

  • Elevate Yourself Above Your Peer Group: Stand out by seeking secondments, deputizing for senior leaders, mirroring best-in-class behaviors, or participating in initiatives outside your current remit.

  • Pursue Roles That Broaden Your Scope: Don’t confine your development to your immediate area—gather experience across functions, markets, or geographies to become a well-rounded candidate for leadership roles.

Promotion (4).jpg

5. Develop Leadership & Executive Presence

  • Project Confidence and Authenticity: Executive presence is not just about appearance—it’s about gravitas, decisive communication, empathy, and inspiring trust at all levels.

  • Act “As If” You’re Already There: Carry yourself with professionalism and responsibility. Undertake aspects of the next-level role whenever possible—this demonstrates your readiness and commitment to decision-makers.

  • Cultivate a Strong Personal Brand: Ensure your reputation, both online and offline, aligns with your aspirations. A professional digital footprint can be a decisive factor in senior appointments, as can the way you conduct yourself outside of work

Promotion (5).jpg

6.  Invest in Networking

  • Build Connections Up, Down, and Across: Relationships with your manager, senior executives, HR, and peers enhance visibility and can be catalysts for promotion. Decision makers must know—and trust—your achievements.

  • Expand Beyond Your Team and Company: Engage actively in professional associations, industry groups, and external networks; many career leaps (especially at senior levels) arise from opportunities outside your immediate environment.

  • Find Sponsors and Advocates: Cultivate mentors and champions willing to advocate on your behalf, providing both honest feedback and access to hidden opportunities.

Promotion (7).jpg

7. From Senior Leader to CEO

  • Understand the Distinctive Demands: CEOs are accountable for organizational vision, strategy, and shareholder value. The best candidates are not just managers—they are leaders who can motivate, drive transformation, manage stakeholders, and deliver results under ambiguity.

  • Core Experience is Crucial: Most CEOs are promoted from within, having demonstrated loyalty and deep company knowledge, usually with significant prior board experience. Backgrounds in finance, sales, or the primary business function are common.

  • Blend Operational Excellence with Vision: Top leaders combine strong management skills with the ability to inspire and set new directions. They are adept at both running efficient operations and leading through change.

  • Emphasize Emotional Intelligence: High emotional intelligence, alongside technical and commercial acumen, is a consistent trait among successful CEOs.

  • Prepare for the Political Landscape: Navigating company politics, board expectations, and stakeholder alignment becomes paramount at the top level—prepare for these realities early and learn from those who do it well.

WHAT NEXT?

By integrating these principles and approaches, you position yourself not only for your next promotion, but to someday earn a seat at the very top of the organization

bottom of page