How to Get a Promotion – Part 3
My Mentor: The next step in getting a promotion is seeing the big picture and I’ll explain how to do that. In the last few weeks, we have talked about the chasm, which is the gap that everyone needs to jump over to move on to the step stage in their career. We also talked about ways to take on more responsibility.
Me: I found a project immediately after our last conversation that I am working on. I think it is a good project, but I’m not sure my boss thinks so.
My Mentor: It is important that you find a project to expand your experience and your responsibilities. It also needs to fit the big picture of your organization, your department, and your boss’s mandate.
Me: I am sure this fits because it makes more money for the company.
My Mentor smiles and without missing a beat continues: For the next two weeks, this is your challenge:
Your boss either works late or comes in early, or both. Your challenge is to match his or her schedule.
Me: You want me to work longer?
My Mentor: You want a promotion, don’t you? All managers work longer hours, they have to in order to keep up. Your challenge is to spend a little more time around your boss before or after work hours.
Remember: Boss’s are more likely to share information with you:
1. If they see you are more committed to your work
2. If there are fewer people around
Boss’s think more clearly when there are less people around, that is why they come in early. If you know what they are thinking about in those moments of the day, you know the big challenges they have. Also, boss’s are more likely to share things they usually would not share throughout the day.
This gives you an advantage over others! Information is very powerful, then if you see an idea for a project that is a solution for one of the big challenges – you are providing extra value.
The added bonus is your boss starts to value you above your peers – Your boss knows who you are, and what you are doing.
Me: Ok. I can spend a little extra time at work.
My Mentor: It must be intentional. It is no good if you are hanging around the watercooler with your peers. It has to be targeted at your supervisors. Spend a little time with them.
If they ask how you are or how your weekend was, take the opportunity to say, “I was thinking about the business, is there an opportunity to specialize in a niche…, what are your thoughts?”
It isn’t simply about spending extra time at work, it is about learning what are the big challenges that you supervisor faces and solving them.
After this conversation, I had made it a habit to work late, like my boss did. I learned all kinds of things. The more consistent I stayed, the more he taught me. I didn’t move up in that organization, but when it was time to move on I used my insight on the industry that he taught to make a vertical move.
I didn’t realize how important this advice really was until I worked in a remote location hundreds of miles from my boss and we only had phone or email contact.
So are you up for the challenge to spend more time with your supervisor to learn what the really challenges are? If so, write me. Thank you for all the emails last week! I responded to each one.
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Crossing the Chasm – How to Get a Promotion Part 1
2 Ways to Gain More Responsibility – How to Get a Promotion Part 2
