Here's how you can use your strengths and skills to position yourself for a promotion.

I’ve learnt something peculiar from my mentors about attitude towards one’s strengths and weaknesses. Now, the prevailing teaching is to work on your weaknesses until they become areas of strength. While this is good, it is not good enough, especially if you seek peak performance. The counterintuitive approach is to focus so deeply on your strengths, work hard at fine-tuning, amplifying and rebuilding them, until you become so exceptional in your area of expertise. This is what sets you apart from the rest, not by putting extra hours to cover up your limitations. Besides, it is your limitations that make you relatable and interdependent. So know yourself enough to amplify your strengths.

Conduct a self-assessment to identify your core strengths and areas for improvement. Use tools like SWOT analysis (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) to gain insight into your capabilities. Recognizing your strengths allows you to leverage them effectively, making you a valuable asset to your organization. Regularly reflect on your performance and seek opportunities that align with your strengths to maximize your impact and visibility.

Establish clear, achievable goals using the SMART framework (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound). Start by defining what you want to achieve in your current role and outline the steps needed to get there. Break down larger goals into smaller, manageable tasks. Regularly review and adjust your goals based on your progress and feedback. This structured approach not only enhances your performance but also demonstrates your commitment to growth and readiness for increased responsibilities.

Proactively seek feedback from supervisors, peers, and mentors to gain diverse perspectives on your performance. Constructive criticism helps you understand areas for improvement and strengths to build upon. Create an action plan based on the feedback received and show that you are actively working on your development. Regularly update your progress and ask for follow-up feedback to ensure continuous improvement. This openness to feedback showcases your dedication to self-improvement and leadership potential.

Invest time in building and nurturing professional relationships within and outside your organization. Attend industry events, join relevant online communities, and participate in company activities to expand your network. Building strong connections can open doors to new opportunities, provide mentorship, and enhance your visibility. Share your expertise and offer support to others, creating a reciprocal network that can advocate for your promotion when opportunities arise.

Volunteering for projects is a great way to demonstrate your initiative and enthusiasm. Choose projects that align with your strengths or offer the chance to develop new skills. This not only shows your willingness to go the extra mile but also highlights your adaptability and eagerness to grow. When you take on additional projects, focus on showcasing your strengths. Whether it's leadership, creativity, or analytical skills, make sure your contributions reflect your best qualities. This will help you build a reputation as a valuable asset to the organization.

Continuously look for ways to add value to your role and the organization. Identify areas where you can contribute beyond your job description and take initiative on projects that align with the company's goals. Showcasing your ability to drive results and solve problems highlights your readiness for higher responsibilities. Document your achievements and quantify your contributions to demonstrate your impact during performance reviews or promotion discussions.

Consider these additional aspects: 1. Visualize yourself in future scenarios. It's crucial to take time to ponder these questions: Who do I want to become? What do I want my life to look like? How would I feel in that situation? This helps clarify your true desires, which in turn boosts motivation for the next step: establishing SMART goals. 2. Seek support from trustworthy coaches and mentors to uncover blind spots you might miss. This can help you finalize your plan. 3. Keep your goals in mind and review them regularly to make timely adjustments, ensuring sustained motivation and a positive outlook.

I always recommended sending your manager a summary of your performance for the last year in advance of an end of year performance review. This sets up any promotion discussion that you want to have. The summary can be brief (1-2 pages) and cover the key areas you are required to deliver against (in my case financial performance, staff engagement / retention, client experience and BD). Then also provide a separate supporting attachment (longer, optional read for them) and include any data or insights you refer to you in the summary (in my case I include a snapshot of key financial metrics, staff engagement results, client NPS results, CRM metrics, etc). In summary, make the case clear so it is easy for them to say yes!

Posicionarte para un ascenso requiere usar tus fortalezas y habilidades estratégicamente. Primero, identifica tus habilidades clave y destácalas en tu trabajo. No se trata solo de trabajar duro, sino de trabajar inteligentemente y demostrar tu valor. Comunica tus logros de manera efectiva. Si un árbol cae en el bosque y nadie lo escucha, ?realmente hizo ruido? Lo mismo aplica a tus éxitos en el trabajo. Busca formación continua y desarrolla habilidades como la comunicación y el liderazgo. Construye relaciones sólidas dentro y fuera de tu organización. Solicita feedback regularmente y utiliza esta información para mejorar continuamente. Paciencia y persistencia son clave: sigue demostrando tu valor y tu ascenso llegará.

Lo que tenemos que tener en cuenta es que utilizar tus fortalezas y habilidades estratégicamente puede ser clave para lograr un ascenso. Primero, identifica tus principales fortalezas y cómo se alinean con los objetivos de la empresa. Demuestra cómo estas habilidades aportan valor tangible. Busca proyectos y tareas donde puedas destacar y mostrar tu liderazgo. La visibilidad es crucial. Comunica tus logros de manera efectiva. Asegúrate de que tus superiores sepan cómo tus habilidades han contribuido al éxito del equipo. Desarrolla y perfecciona continuamente tus habilidades. La adaptabilidad y la mejora constante son se?ales claras de un líder en crecimiento. Toma la iniciativa y demuestra que estás listo para más responsabilidades.

In addition to clearly articulating how you add value to the organization, cultivate your personal brand. Think about how you want to be known and cultivate your brand accordingly. If you want to be know as a problem solver or innovator, refer to yourself as such. - When meeting new colleagues, introduce yourself according to your brand. - Ensure your online communications reflect your brand. - Discuss your desired brand with trusted colleagues and mentors. Ask whether they see gaps between how you want to know and how see you, and close the gaps.