I’ve encountered a number of counterproductive attitudes in the workplace, but one in particular really bothers me.
Too many people out there think they deserve career advancement for all the wrong reasons. For example, they believe they’re entitled to it because they’ve worked at the company for a certain number of years. Or, they think it’s justified because someone else just got promoted…and it’s only fair that they should as well.
This kind of approach easily leads to resentment because, in truth, these are not valid reasons. Career advancement is not a right. It’s not something you get just for showing up. It’s a privilege that has to be earned through your contributions. Further, it’s not enough for YOU to think you’ve earned it. You have to prove it to the decision-makers as well.
I’ve seen people earn promotions in incredibly short periods of time. I, myself, was promoted after 3 months at my last job!
I’ve also seen people remain stagnant for years, never earning advancement regardless of their tenure.
There are several factors that come into play here.
The people who do advance are focused on visible behaviors and tangible results. They know that their success relies on their actions. They deliver value above and beyond their job description and continuously demonstrate their ability to grow. They realize that, in order to get ahead, they have to not only show exceptional competence in their current role, but also exhibit a great deal of potential for the future.
Additionally, those who advance are the ones who vocally advocate for themselves. They don’t sit back and wait for others to bestow rewards upon them. Instead, they ask for what they want and provide evidence for why it’s deserved.
In my experience, there’s a tried and true way of earning a promotion and it’s not all that mysterious. However, it takes a concerted effort. You can’t just do your job, then sit back and wait for it to happen. Maybe in the past, that’s how it worked. But in today’s competitive working environment, you have to do things differently. Career progression is not guaranteed.
If you’re looking to earn a promotion, my step-by-step career growth system can help make it happen. G.R.O.W. Your Nourishing Career is an online learning program for people who want to pursue advancement, achieve greater levels of career fulfillment, earn more rewards and experience more growth. Learn more here.