PDF Summary:Who Gets Promoted, Who Doesn't, and Why, by Donald Asher

Too often we think promotions come from past accomplishments alone. But in Who Gets Promoted, Who Doesn't, and Why, Donald Asher explains that career advancement hinges on proving your potential for future success. You'll learn how to strategically position yourself as a prime candidate for promotion through communicating achievements, seeking new skills, and fostering advocates in your network.

Along the way, Asher offers strategies for timing career moves, selling your ideas, handling criticism, and weathering setbacks. His comprehensive guide navigates the subtle dynamics that shape perceptions of employee value—and ultimately determine who climbs the ladder.

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Continuously exhibit your eagerness to learn new abilities.

Embrace challenges as opportunities to develop your skills and gain new insights. Continuously pursue new expertise and abilities throughout your professional journey. Be adaptable and flexible in your approach to learning, drawing on a variety of resources and methods.

Advancing in one's career is significantly influenced by proficiency in sales and persuasive skills.

Mastery of sales skills is crucial for career progression, even in roles not commonly linked to sales. Effectively conveying the worth of your abilities and future prospects to decision-makers is crucial.

Ability to sell ideas, skills, and potential is critical for getting buy-in and support

Asher suggests that all business aspects fundamentally revolve around sales. Accountants provide financial insights. Primarily, engineers focus on creating technical solutions. Having strong sales and persuasive skills is crucial when introducing a new product or arguing for better pay.

Understand what drives and matters most to the decision-makers.

Understanding the motivations of others is crucial to effectively guide and influence their actions. What are their goals? What concerns do they harbor? Tailor your message to address their specific needs and concerns.

Craft compelling narratives that underscore the potential contributions they can offer to the organization.

Craft a narrative rather than simply listing the specifics. Present your suggestions by emphasizing how they will positively influence the company's financial outcomes. Articulate the advantages that your proposal will bring.

Employ imagination and determination to surmount any opposition.

Allow no room for discouragement from objections. View these opportunities as a way to clarify your communication and address any concerns. Maintain persistence in your endeavors, yet be flexible in modifying your strategy when necessary.

View the company as your customer and position yourself as the perfect answer to their needs.

Demonstrate the same level of commitment and enthusiasm in interactions with your supervisor and the company as you would when dealing with customers. Demonstrate your value by adeptly presenting yourself as the ideal answer to their needs.

Explore strategies to enhance value while reducing risk and expense.

Articulate clearly how the company will benefit from your promotion. Highlight your proficiency in achieving outcomes, mitigating risks, and cutting expenses. Establish yourself as a resource that merits investment.

A well-defined strategy for advancing one's career is crucial.

Take charge of your career path instead of leaving it to chance. Formulate a plan that nurtures the progression of your career and guides your professional development. A comprehensive strategy not only delineates your objectives but also assists you in leveraging potential prospects and pinpointing the requisite competencies.

Identify the specific career paths and roles that are suitable for your pursuit.

Explore the common career paths that culminate in the professional roles you aim to secure. Familiarize yourself with the typical qualifications and expertise required for climbing the ladder within your company.

Identify the key skills and experience that will facilitate your professional progression.

Acknowledge your current abilities truthfully and pinpoint any deficiencies. Assess the essential competencies and experience required for each position you target throughout your professional advancement.

Develop a plan to gain the necessary skills.

Devise a plan to acquire the essential skills. Target a variety of resources, including training programs, mentoring relationships, strategic job assignments, and self-directed learning.

Formulate specific strategies and contingency methods for advancing your career.

You can adapt your strategy accordingly. Incorporate mechanisms that initiate reassessment and adjustments in direction. Regularly assess the progression of your professional path and adjust accordingly to align with both your personal circumstances and the changing demands of the company.

Set reasonable timelines and milestones for progression

Create realistic timelines for each step in your plan. Set definite benchmarks to track your advancement. Aim high in your ambitions, but exercise caution to brace yourself against potential setbacks.

Adjust your approach as new situations emerge.

The trajectory of one's career often follows an unpredictable path. Your evaluation of what is important and your list of priorities might evolve as time passes. Market conditions change. Adapt your strategy to include emerging perspectives and chances.

Improving how a supervisor's abilities are viewed.

Your manager plays a crucial role in shaping the perception of your professional abilities and in determining the career advancement opportunities that you encounter. By aiding in the advancement of your supervisor's achievements, you can bolster the prospects of your own professional growth. Supporting your superior effectively involves emphasizing their strengths instead of merely agreeing with everything they say.

Make certain that your contributions are perceived as advantageous to the success of your team and those in leadership positions.

Asher underscores the significance of recognizing how closely an individual's career progression is intertwined with their manager's achievements. Accentuate your contribution to collective achievements and show your ability to bolster your supervisor's standing. Make certain that the accomplishments of your business division gain recognition not only within the organization but also in the wider marketplace.

Acknowledge and elevate the achievements of your colleagues.

Make certain to recognize both your team and those in leadership roles while distributing accolades. Highlighting the collective achievements of your group reflects positively on your leadership abilities and amplifies the team's overall success. This reinforces your collaborative spirit and builds valuable relationships.

Steer clear of engaging in discussions that could disseminate gossip or might undermine the authority of your supervisor.

Avoid speaking negatively about your supervisor when conversing with coworkers. Expressing your authentic worries openly can often lead to negative outcomes. Address your concerns in a private setting with a member of the human resources team or with your immediate manager. Most organizations quickly penalize disloyalty, and it is nearly impossible to recover from such a setback.

Make certain that your supervisor is provided with the necessary information at the most crucial times.

Ensure your supervisor is well-equipped and informed to make pivotal choices. Ensure you act as a reliable messenger for important information, guaranteeing its rapid and clear dissemination.

Act as a dependable go-between, offering consistency instead of unforeseen events.

Determine how much information your supervisor needs and identify the optimal time for its delivery. Supply them with the essential information while sparing them the burden of trivial details. Safeguard your supervisor by foreseeing potential issues and proactively suggesting solutions to avert unforeseen crises.

The advantages of associating with high-performing colleagues

Collaborating with colleagues who demonstrate exceptional performance can accelerate your career growth by providing access to new prospects, imparting valuable knowledge, and motivating you to achieve your highest potential. When contemplating collaboration with an outstanding performer, it's crucial to assess the advantages and disadvantages thoroughly.

Individuals who distinguish themselves through their accomplishments can create new avenues for opportunities.

Top achievers are catalysts for advancement and drive change within an organization. Thus, the path for career advancement is set. Collaborate with a colleague who is swiftly progressing in their professional journey to enhance your career development.

Progress in your professional journey by leveraging the momentum of group advancement.

Asher uses a metaphor to demonstrate how outstanding performers create a path that their colleagues can follow. In their career paths, individuals progress beyond positions that then become open for you to fill. Position yourself strategically to benefit from this dynamic.

Experience the enrichment and development that arises from collaborating with highly skilled team members.

Collaborating with outstanding peers not only introduces you to innovative concepts but also motivates the enhancement of your abilities and elevates your collective output. Associate with skilled people who motivate you to surpass your current achievements.

Be cautious of potential downsides, such as accumulated resentment

Being linked with top performers can sometimes have negative consequences. They often incite resentment among colleagues who resist alterations. Occasionally, such bitterness may also impact those who are closely connected to the individuals.

Gaining the backing and guidance of mentors and advocates is essential.

Advocates within an organization who have faith in you and actively support your interests are known as guardian angels. They provide guidance, create opportunities, and shield you from covert assaults. Foster relationships with people who can support your professional advancement.

Build connections with individuals who hold influence and can champion your cause.

Build relationships with influential people who respect and value your abilities. Mentors have the ability to guide your professional path, offer sage advice, and bolster your advancement through confidential conversations.

Leverage their existing credibility and connections to forge fresh prospects.

These connections provide pathways to insights, chances, and assets that might otherwise remain beyond your reach. Their endorsement is influential throughout the whole company.

Avoid relying too heavily on a single benefactor

Cultivate connections with a wide array of mentors and supporters. Broadening your network of supporters minimizes reliance on a single individual. Expanding your connections also provides you with a wider variety of viewpoints and additional support systems.

Recognize the distinctions between lieutenants, those who offer direction, and the colleagues at your level.

Recognize the different roles played by individuals in your support network. Each offers distinct advantages and disadvantages.

Every position comes with its own set of advantages and disadvantages.

Mentors offer crucial guidance and support.

• Lieutenants: Demonstrate steadfast commitment by actively engaging in and advocating for the shared goals of the group.
• Colleagues: Offer peer insights, collaboration, and a wider perspective on organizational dynamics.

A readiness to embrace new opportunities and change locations demonstrates value.

Moving for a job might appear intimidating, yet it frequently paves the way for professional growth opportunities that might otherwise be unavailable. Do not allow your fondness for a particular place to obstruct your chase for opportunities filled with potential.

Being inflexibly bound to a particular place may hinder your professional progression.

Asher notes that people often choose to preserve their existing way of life rather than placing a higher importance on advancing their professional status. A reluctance to relocate can result in missing out on significant opportunities that require a change of city or country.

Embrace both domestic and international assignments.

View the willingness to move for a job as an opportunity to advance your career, particularly in the initial phases. Moving demonstrates your commitment and adaptability. Domestic assignments can build a diverse range of experience, while international assignments show your ability to navigate global environments.

Understand the personal and financial implications of relocation

Consider the expenses and challenges associated with moving, including the search for a residence, educational factors, and the necessity of obtaining employment for your partner. Weigh these factors against the potential career benefits.

Demonstrate a readiness to adapt and grow with the aim of seizing emerging opportunities.

Show potential employers that you are eager to take on new challenges and adapt to the specific needs of their organization. Approach relocation with a positive attitude and a willingness to adapt to new environments.

Adequate preparation combined with a touch of luck are essential for career progression.

Progressing professionally necessitates a combination of deliberate strategy and fortuitous opportunities. An informed and prepared mind is more adept at capitalizing on opportunities that appear without warning.

Preparation increases the chances of capitalizing on lucky breaks

Asher argues that random events always follow a discernible pattern. People who are well-prepared often come across opportunities. By continuously learning, expanding your network, and building diverse skills, you increase your chances of benefiting from unexpected opportunities.

Always seek to expand your expertise and embrace new obstacles.

Continuously enhance your abilities and expand your circle of professional connections to prepare for unforeseen opportunities. Approach challenges with optimism and demonstrate a keen interest in learning new things.

Recognize and seize unexpected opportunities when they arise

Maintain flexibility and be willing to embrace unexpected opportunities rather than rigidly adhering to your initial strategy. Keep an eye out for unexpected opportunities, fortuitous meetings, and significant relationships that could steer you towards a fresh path.

Merely relying on fortune falls short; it's essential to have strategic planning and execution.

Take action rather than leaving things to chance. Craft a strategy for advancing your career by setting goals, improving abilities, and devising strategic actions to propel your professional path forward.

Create backup strategies and simulate various outcomes to maintain agility.

Your plan should be viewed as adaptable rather than fixed. Include alternative paths and trigger points that prompt reevaluation. Anticipate various situations and adapt your strategy as the situation evolves.

Combine a systematic approach with the capacity for spontaneous adaptation.

Devise a strategic plan while maintaining the agility to adapt when necessary. Seize the opportunity to embrace calculated risks and make the most of unexpected opportunities. Chart a course that balances intentional planning with taking advantage of fortuitous opportunities to fulfill your professional aspirations.