What do you do if your knowledge of change management methodologies isn't getting you promoted?

To advance in change management, evaluate how you apply knowledge beyond methodology. For instance, Microsoft's Satya Nadella used strategic thinking and strong communication to shift the company’s culture. Assess if you're effectively influencing stakeholders, adapting strategies across departments, and measuring outcomes aligned with organizational goals. Building relationships, driving engagement, and using metrics that resonate with business leaders can often be more impactful than technical knowledge alone. Develop these complementary skills to drive tangible value.

While deep knowledge of change management is valuable, expanding into adjacent areas like project management, business analysis, or leadership skills could make you a more versatile candidate for promotion. Show that you can manage not just processes but people as well. Build strong leadership skills, emotional intelligence Regularly ask for feedback from managers and colleagues. Understand what gaps are preventing your promotion and actively work on them. Build a strong professional network within your organization. Seek out mentors who can guide you on your path to promotion and advocate for you. Keep learning. Whether it's through certifications, courses, or staying on top of industry best practices

We should work on creating new methods and build rapport among stakeholders and within team. We should look for eradicate duplicate enteries and work on trends after analysis to generate better outcomes. This also improve efficiency of team and give better and fast resut.

As a general manager with extensive experience in restaurants and hospitality, I've learned the value of continually assessing my skills and areas for growth. In the fast-paced food industry, staying ahead means constant learning. I regularly evaluate my strengths in operations, team leadership, and customer service, while seeking opportunities to grow in areas like digital marketing, sustainability, and culinary trends. By fostering honest self-assessment, I ensure I'm equipped to drive innovation and encourage my team to do the same. This culture of improvement keeps us agile and ready to exceed guest expectations.

If you’re strong in change management but not advancing, evaluate if: 1. Methodology Rigidness: Are you applying methods too rigidly instead of adapting to specific needs? 2. Process vs. People: Is your focus too technical rather than addressing the human side of change? 3. Communication: Are you clearly communicating the value of your work to decision-makers? 4. Short-Term vs. Long-Term: Are you prioritizing quick wins over strategic, long-term outcomes? 5. Leadership: Are you seen as a leader influencing direction, or just an executor? 6. Stakeholder Relationships: Are you effectively managing and engaging key stakeholders?

To grow as a change manager, seek feedback from peers, managers, and clients. After leading a change initiative, ask for candid input on how your communication and leadership impacted the project. Feedback can reveal blind spots and areas for improvement. Additionally, find a mentor who has successfully navigated change to gain insights, refine your approach, and build valuable networks. A mentor who challenges your thinking can help you expand your skill set, adapt to different cultures, and enhance your career trajectory.

Throughout my journey from The Fullerton to Kebabs Faktory, I've learned the immense value of feedback and mentorship. I regularly seek input from all team levels, from kitchen staff to senior leaders, gaining diverse insights into operations and guest experiences. I've also been fortunate to have mentors guiding my professional growth, sharing their industry wisdom. Now, I aim to pay it forward by mentoring emerging talent. This exchange fosters continuous learning and improvement. In hospitality, staying open to feedback is crucial for both personal growth and organizational success.

Feedback as well as coaching and mentoring are invaluable in honing one's skills and evolving in career development. Go with the belief that people around you want to help you, and you need to ask. When I went through major transitions in work-life paths, I went to my network of friends and colleagues seeking their views of what they thought of me doing based on what they knew of my strengths and passions, and also what I needed to acquire as skills and behaviour. These people were quite often mentors and coaches too. I gained from the feedback of many younger and less experienced as well, which coming from a different perspective can be very useful in change situations. Do a 360 feedback on yourself annually to reflect, and evolve.

Engaging with mentors and soliciting constructive criticism from peers and supervisors can provide you with insights into your work performance and perceived value within the organization. This feedback can highlight strengths to build upon and areas for improvement, offering a clearer path to achieving your career objectives. Moreover, mentors can offer guidance, share their experiences, and help you navigate the complexities of career advancement, including the effective application of change management skills. Establishing these relationships fosters personal development and can significantly enhance your prospects for promotion.

In hospitality, your network and reputation are invaluable. Throughout my career with brands like Jones the Grocer and Capella Hotel, I’ve focused on building genuine relationships with colleagues, industry peers, and guests. Attending industry events, engaging in culinary forums, and being active on LinkedIn have expanded my global network. A strong network not only opens doors to new opportunities but also offers fresh insights. Equally, delivering excellence consistently builds a solid reputation. By nurturing relationships and maintaining high standards, I’ve strengthened my career progression.

Cultivating a robust professional network provides access to a wealth of knowledge, support, and potential opportunities that can be instrumental in achieving a promotion. By connecting with colleagues within your industry, participating in professional groups, and attending relevant events, you can increase your visibility and establish yourself as a knowledgeable and reliable professional in the field of change management. A strong reputation, bolstered by positive relationships and a track record of successful initiatives, can make you a more attractive candidate for advancement and open doors to new career possibilities.

Exploring options as a change manager means looking beyond traditional paths. If your company values cross-functional expertise, consider roles in HR, Operations, or Marketing to showcase versatility. Be proactive about opportunities—network internally and express interest in high-impact projects. For instance, if a digital transformation is coming, volunteer to take a leadership role in a pilot program. Keep an eye on industry trends; certifications in Agile or digital change management can open new doors. Stay flexible and align your career moves with market demands for growth.

It involves looking beyond your immediate job environment to understand the broader landscape of your industry and potential career paths. This exploration can reveal new positions, companies, or sectors where your skills, especially in change management, are in high demand. By researching and identifying these opportunities, you can make informed decisions about your career trajectory, whether it means seeking advancement within your current organization or considering a move to a new one. Keeping an open mind and being proactive in seeking out new challenges can significantly enhance your career prospects and lead to fulfilling professional growth.

A leader capable of managing and leading change, starting with themselves, and being their change agent, has unlimited options, simply put, any leadership involves change. Status Quo leads to stagnation and is unsustainable in a world constantly evolving and changing. Whether Lewin's Unfreeze, Change, Refreeze or Prosci's ADKAR, these change models can be used in any day-to-day leadership situation. Change management can be a part of the lean framework of Kaizen in daily Continuous Improvement. In every company, it can be scenario panning to redesign vision annually. In extreme situations, it can be applied to turnarounds. All skill and behavioural shifts can be managed with Change Models. Options and opportunities are unlimited.

In hospitality, success hinges on decisive action and learning from every experience. From Shabestan to Kebabs Faktory, I’ve embraced proactive problem-solving and innovation. When facing challenges like shifting consumer preferences or industry disruptions, I take swift, informed action rather than waiting for ideal conditions. Each experience, whether a success or a lesson, has shaped my growth as a leader. I encourage my teams to adopt this mindset—view setbacks as learning opportunities and celebrate successes while analyzing their causes. By acting decisively and reflecting on outcomes, we remain agile and evolve in this ever-changing industry.

It's not enough to just do your job well; it's important that your work gets noticed and appreciated. Honestly, I haven't yet figured out the specific steps to influence this. I’d love to hear from others who have had success with it.