What are the best ways to overcome obstacles to getting a promotion?

Identify the specific skills and competencies needed for the desired promotion. Conduct a self-assessment to evaluate your strengths and weaknesses. Develop a plan to bridge any skill gaps. Consider taking relevant courses, attending workshops, or seeking mentorship to enhance your skills and knowledge. Request constructive feedback on your performance, especially areas where improvement is needed. Show a willingness to learn and grow from criticism. Be proactive in identifying and solving problems within your current role. Taking ownership of projects and initiatives demonstrates your commitment to your job and the organization. Use metrics and data to illustrate the impact of your work on the organization's success.

Talk to the person who decides on your promotion. Ask him what is required to get that promotion. But only do so if you trust him to tell you the truth. In some cases, this person (your boss or big boss) would be judgmental and find you to be expecting a promotion too soon (even if you have waited 2 years or more). So, proceed with caution. The other way is to have good relations with everyone, especially the boss and those whom he hangs out with (for lunch/tea etc) in addition to taking on more projects and doing them well. That would usually work but if you don't like to, then jump ship to another div or company.

Clearly define the promotion you're aiming for and understand why you want it, setting a clear target for your efforts. Stand out by demonstrating a deep understanding of the specific role or position you're aiming to achieve. Remember, clarity breeds conviction.

Clarify your 'WHY' before anything else. If this promotion and subsequent role aligns with your authentic self, then your passion and determination become the guiding lights, empowering you to navigate obstacles and stand out amidst others??

One thing I found helpful was to do my own self-assessment and to get a view from my manager. Ultimately, it's your manager who will put your name forward for a promotion or not, so aligning on what you need to develop/do to build your case for a promotions is crucial. This way, you can get feedback and work on the gaps you have.

Evaluate your current position, skills, and areas for improvement to determine what steps you need to take to qualify for the promotion. Stand out by showcasing your self-awareness and willingness to address weaknesses. Embrace feedback and use it as a ladder to climb higher.

A powerful tool from your peers is feedback. Reach out to teammates, cross functional associates, managers and mentors and ask for clear and actionable feedback (anonymous, if you can). Ask how they perceive you, what they like that you do and if there's anything you should stop or do less of. The beauty of gathering feedback from many sources is that they can paint a more complete picture of how you're viewed. Also lack of feedback can be a signal as well, are you not collaborating with enough people, are you passing on too many opportunities to show your contributions or is the impact of your work not meaningful to your org? Figure out how the world sees you, then change it for the better.

Reach out to mentors, colleagues, or coaches who can provide guidance and advice on how to navigate the promotion process within your organisation.

Embrace obstacles as your training ground. Develop new skills – they're your secret weapon. See each setback as a setup for a bigger comeback. The journey might be bumpy, but the view from the top? Spectacular. Keep growing; promotions are reserved for the daring skill cultivators.

Highlight your accomplishments and successes, both big and small, and demonstrate the value you bring to the company. This might involve creating a portfolio of your work, sharing your successes with your boss and colleagues, or taking on new projects that demonstrate your skills and abilities. Showcasing your achievements is about building a strong case for your value as an employee. When you demonstrate your ability to deliver results and make a positive impact, you create a strong case for yourself and increase your chances of getting a promotion. Overcoming obstacles is not just about identifying and addressing challenges; it's about proving your worth and demonstrating your ability to excel.

When starting a new position ask to speak to someone on your department's promotion committee or who knows the requirements for career advancement. It's helpful to know the pillars in which you will need to demonstrate achievement (e.g. teaching, clinical, research, service) and the expected benchmarks for each area (e.g. 6 publications for which you are lead author on at least 2). Knowing the measurable expectations for promotion can help guide you in setting SMART goals, be cautious to not overload yourself with activities that don't count toward promotion, and advocate to be consider for promotion when you have achieved many of the expected goals.

Don't be afraid to leave your current role if you are not being recognized. It takes a lot of guts to pack up and leave and join a new organization. Know your value and your worth. If your current organization doesn't see it, learn from it, and join an organization that will. Have it be their loss, not yours.

Top 5 ways to overcome obstacles to getting a promotion: 1) Self-Assessment: Identify skill gaps and areas for improvement. 2) Communication Skills: Clearly express goals and achievements. 3) Skill Development: Acquire essential skills for the desired role. 4) Showcase Achievements: Highlight impact on projects and value. 5) Networking: Build strong internal professional connections.