On Change: How To Get Promoted
This is part of (yet another) new series, this time on life changes.
In the recent past, I have written about defining balance, the possibility that work/life balance may be a scam, and the possibility that the end times are near for true innovation.
Now I think that it is only right to talk a bit about how to achieve more in your job.
Earlier today someone (who shall remain anonymous) asked me how to get promoted in their organization, so I am just going to tell you what I told them.
Note: I am not going to suggest that everyone should try to get promoted here. However, I do think that anyone reading this should think about ways that they can improve three things –
1. Their relationships with coworkers,
2. their work habits, and
3. their interests.
Ignoring the possibility of promotion, these can help you to enjoy your job a bit more. And, if you are someone who does want more from your job, then these can help you to get promoted.
Is It Time for a Change?
There are a few telltale signs that you are someone who needs to change aspects of your working life. That is, even if you are not seeking promotion, the following things are signs that something needs to change.
If you find yourself with a group of coworkers complaining about the way that your boss demands something trivial be done, then it might be time for a change.
If you complain because you don’t get out early on the day before a holiday even if all of the other businesses in town do, then it might be time for a change.
If you listen to a coworker complain about the workload for 20 minutes after lunch is over, then it might be time for a change.
If you find yourself thinking that employee productivity is at an all time low, then it is definitely time for a change.
But, what will you change?
If you want to move up in your organization, you will need to get noticed. In my experience, the best way to get noticed is to become indispensible.
In my experience, becoming indispensible is difficult, but not impossible. Of course, I am not talking about becoming truly indispensible – that is impossible. I am talking about creating the perception that you are indispensible in the minds of your coworkers. This is the key for anyone who wants to be successful within any organization.
You have to learn about the ways that people do their work, and what they like/do not like about their current methods. If you can learn how things work & what works well vs. what does not work, then you will be able to find ways to move right past other people. But you shouldn’t.
That is, you should not just learn as much as you can in order to try to blast right past your co-workers. You need your coworkers to be supportive as you move upward. Of course, the fact that you have spent additional time learning about the business will not always make them like you more, especially those who feel beaten down or under-utilized.
What has been working for me?
First, learn about the business leaders, processes, and goals. You HAVE TO understand the current situation (i.e., things that are working and things that are not). You also really need to know who the leaders are, and if any of them are close friends or related. Saying the wrong things in front of someone who is sensitive to it could be an end to your struggles and your job.
While you are doing this, try to understand the complaints of your coworkers. As you learn, think about ways that you can fix whatever it is that your coworkers seem to be bothered by. Usually, they have legitimate complaints, but sometimes the complaining is due to their misunderstanding something. Watch for this – it could mean the difference between a good relationship and a bad one.
You MUST understand these things before you can influence the people above or below you in the organization, which is the ONLY WAY to become indispensible in your organization.
Once You Understand Your Organization
Once you have learned as much as you can about the organization, start making suggestions (do NOT do this earlier unless you want to look stupid).
If your suggestions (solutions) are good, you will be noticed. It is that simple. You need to be noticed to be able to start making a push for promotion.
Now it is time for the hard work. You must be involved in the implementation of your ideas, and you must have this noticed by your coworkers. They may initially tell you that you are crazy for putting so much effort into your job. They may even tell you to stop sucking up. Persevere – this is your future you are working on.
Assuming that you made good decisions, your coworkers will see the differences that you have made and they will be impressed. If you were able to enlist any of them during this process, they will be your partners in your rise in the organization. This is very desirable.
Conclusion
Some people want more from their job and some do not. If you are someone who wants to move up, be prepared for more stress as well as some animosity directed toward you.
Often you will need to be able to deal with these things in a way that allows you to remake your friends at work.
If you truly want more out of your work experience, it is worth the effort.
Your Turn
What else would you do to market yourself in the workplace? Do you think that it is even worth the effort to get promoted in your organization?
Related posts
- 5 Ways to Cover Up The Crazy and Make Friends At Work and Online
- Selling Rapture Insurance – Creative Thinking For a New Age
- Is Work/Life Balance just a scam?
- Innovation’s Last Stand
- When Is Doing Something Well Not Enough? Now.
Twitter: Brandon_Connell
said:
Making it tough for me to comment on some of your posts Mark. I am self employed. But if the wife treats me better on a certain day, I assume I have been promoted.
Brandon Connell´s last [type] ..CONTEST: How many referrals?
Ha! I suppose that is true, though I think these concepts can also work for the self-employed. Really, co-workers are very similar to clients in some ways.
Anyway, thanks for reading.
Have a great day Brandon!
Twitter: sallyneill
said:
Hey Mark,
You know I wish I had read this blog post a long long longggggggggggg time ago and I bet I would have progressed much further in my previous jobs than I ever did.
Your post could easily be turned into a free ebook that would help a ton of people climb up the ladder so to speak.
Animosity is part and parcel with success, people do tend to get very jealous when they see you progressing much faster than they are!
Great post, I loved it even though it came 5 years too late ha ha.
Sally
Sally´s last [type] ..David Walker, Sally’s First Skype Interview…
Hi Sally,
You are too funny!
I agree – it is a sad truth that some people can hold a grudge against others simply for doing well at something. Part of success, I think, is being able to ignore that nonsense and build relationships anyway.
In my opinion, relationships with other people are the first thing we need in order to build a good life.
That ebook idea is an interesting one. I have started thinking about an ebook idea, and this would fit nicely in there…
Thanks Sally! Have a great day!
Hi Mark,
You hit a home run on this one!
The secret to my success (when I had a job) was that I never thought of it as a job. Being single & without children I was able to dedicate my life to the company. And I did it happily and willingly.
One thing I learned from listening to Oprah for all these years is not to just work for the money or success. If you enjoy what you do and feel rewarded – that is your success.
The money always comes later. I’ll be honest, this is a hard concept for most people to grasp. Oh, and one for thing. Treat every day like an interview. You never know who’s watching.
Many times we would have our job candidate pool narrowed down to a couple choices. It’s common to ask your management team who they would chose and why. The surprising thing is how much people remember!
One specific time, we had 2 equally experienced applicants. The only thing that separated them was that the guy had a reputation for being a flirt around the office. Which cost him the job.
No matter how good you are, your reputation follows, so make it a good one.
Scott Barron´s last [type] ..Disappointed with Senate
Hi Scott –
Great point. If you work for only money/success, I think you run a higher risk of unhappiness. Of course, it seems to be hard for many people to find jobs that they enjoy (me included).
I like the “treat every day like an interview concept”. In my experience, people tend to think of you in the context of your latest success, so you have to continually do new things. If people talk about your latest success and that was 5 years ago, that is probably not so good.
But, you are right about the things people remember – it seems to be the negatives for the long term.
Thanks for your thoughts!
Another thing some people forget is who you hang out with. Sadly, that makes a huge difference. It’s a fact of life, you will be judged by the people you chose for friends, so chose wisely.
Mark for example, lets say I promote you. Of course you will maintain your current employee friend relationships. In my mind, I know that what ever you learn, hear or see will probably get back to your friend group. Is one of your friends a gossip or likes to talk? Sometimes that enough to disqualify you for a position.
Think about who you take a break or lunch with. Who is in your office or cubicle? Who is your confidant? Because you’re right, the negatives are remembered and take years for people to forget.
Scott Barron´s last [type] ..Are Your Underwear Clean?
Twitter: jeansarauer
said:
I’ve been self-employed for a long time now but was fortunate enough to be offered promotions in nearly every job I had in the traditional workplace. Was this because I was brilliant and the most productive worker on the site? Yeah, go ahead and believe that:)
Basically, I just did my job with a fairy cheerful attitude and was a bit on the lazy side. Since I always wanted to find an easier way to do things, I’d look at every task and think, “hmm, how can I make less work out of this?” There’s an easier way to do nearly everything in life and still get great results, so when I’d find a good option, I shared it, and I think that had a lot to do with the promotion offers.
Jean Sarauer´s last [type] ..A Newbie’s Guide to Guest Posting
Well, I do believe that you are brilliant Jean.
I think that your experience sounds similar to mine. Ideas seem to be valued in our culture far more than the ability to perform repetitive tasks (unless you are a basketball player, of course).
Have a great day!
Twitter: Brandon_Connell
said:
Self employed eh? I should come work for you…
Brandon Connell´s last [type] ..Why a LONG ebook can make you more money
Twitter: gowdavinayk
said:
Hi Mark,
One more thing which I would like to add is, you should have good relation with Team Leads (TL’s). As a corporate guy i felt this.
Thanks the great post Mark
Hi Vinay,
I agree – building relationships with the team leaders, or lower level managers is extremely important. They can help you to learn and can recommend you to their bosses.
Have a great day!
Twitter: jblack2012
said:
I think that the best way to get change and to rise up in your workplace is to promote change from within yourself.
If you are not the person that spreads gossip and acts as a good role model, always working even when the boss isn’t watching, and going that extra mile, then others will follow around you, but you will get recognized as the change agent.
-Joshua Black
The Underdog Millionaire
Joshua Black | The Underdog Millionaire´s last [type] ..Do Not Repeat My Dentist’s Money-Losing Marketing Mistake
Hey Joshua,
I think you are right – act as a leader and you can become one. Great point!
Have a great day!
Twitter: bigredtomato
said:
You raise some really good points here Mark. I used to work in the corporate world and now I work as in interim instead of being an employee. What I notice the most is that it’s much easier to get the right stuff done without being an employee.
Too often people have agendas and you don’t have to deal with them or deal with the politics. I get the best of both worlds. I change organisation frequently (as I change client) so I don’t get bored and I get to do some interesting work (which is why I wanted to go to work in the first place).
Matthew Needham´s last [type] ..How to create your dream chart
Hi Matthew,
I spent about five years in consulting and loved working with many different clients during the year.
You are right on about the politics. Some people will do anything to anyone to get what they want. It is kind of like an extreme and unneeded survival tactic. Its really sad – I have lost friendships over it.
Great comments! Thanks for visiting!
Twitter: rick_byrd
said:
Mark.
You offer up some valid points.
You mention”What will you change” – I have learned that the only person you can change is yourself. Perception plays a big part in this. If someone perceives you as an ass, well maybe you are and you need to change. To many people would say, I’m not an ass, that person is an ass. (Sorry, I have never used that word so many times in a sentence). People need to always see how they can change themselves first.
After I graduated college I had aspiration of being a CEO of a medium sized company. Once I got married and started having kids, I quickly realized that I did not want to give up my family time and I quickly changed my mindset about what I wanted to do.
Another thing I have learned over the years is the more you know, the more they will delegate to you. I love learning new things but sometimes it can bite you back!
- Rick
Rick Byrd´s last [type] ..Everybody Likes Free Stuff, Right?
Hi Rick,
You have a valid point – it is a *really* good idea to constantly re-evaluate your goals. As you progress, you want to be the person with new ideas, not just a person who can get stuff done. Getting stuff done is easy, but creating a new way to do something is valued.
And, you are right – the change starts with you (so to speak). Of course, as you point out, how one interacts with others can make or break relationships. If someone finds that they are constantly frustrated with others but everyone else seems to be ok, it is probably because everyone else dislikes them for some reason. That’s how it goes. Learn about how people interact, decide to make a change & build better relationships.
/soapbox
Have a great day Rick!
Wow.. Awesome post buddy and great tips too !! Thanks for sharing this great article.
Twitter: anna_haller
said:
Very good tips you give here Mark. When I worked in the corporate world I was on the fast track to getting promoted because I wanted to get a higher salary (which was a good motivator) but I really liked what I did as well.
I found my willingness to help others is what really showed my boss that I am deserving of a promotion because I knew my stuff and was willing to help others so that we as a team could be more effective.
It has definitely translated over as I am self-employed now and yet I still have that mindset of helping others because then and only then will I gain and be rewarded.
Anna
Anna Haller´s last [type] ..Planning – The key to your success
Hi Anna,
Your point about these ideas translating to entrepreneurs is great because getting promoted is really about creating and maintaining relationships that benefit both you and your employer. In that way, working for someone is the same as working for yourself.
I have worked both for myself and for large companies and I have found that the people who work in larger organizations need to take on an entrepreneurial attitude to move higher. There is no other way to get promoted. Of course, that is a subject for another time.
Thanks for the thoughtful comments & have a great day!
Is one of your friends a gossip or likes to talk? Sometimes that enough to disqualify you for a position.
Think about who you take a break or lunch with.