Stop Settling: Take Charge of Your Professional Growth

Are you giving control of your career to someone else? If so, you’re not alone.

Last week, I spoke with a client who has been waiting a long time for a promised raise.

The director of HR told him that he was working on making that happen.

After months of waiting, he finally confronted the HR director and was told that he hadn’t gotten around to it.

My client noted that I suggested that he speak directly to his boss about his raise.

In retrospect, he said he wished he had listened.

No one is more interested in your career than you, which is why you need to take control of your career and your destiny.

Too many people are hoping and praying for a promotion when instead they should be asking for what they deserve.

Many are waiting for a promised raise, which may or may not be retroactive, and are beginning to feel resentful.

If this sounds like you, then it’s time to take action.

Here’s where to begin.

• If you think you deserve a raise, then ask for it. Put together a list of your accomplishments and the value you’re adding to the organization. Don’t be shy here—be shameless. If your boss says she’ll think about it, don’t stop there. Ask her when you should follow up to close the loop. Put the date on your calendar and follow up.
• Make yourself promotable.?If you want to be seen as promotable, stop waiting around for your boss to gift you with a coach. Instead, invest yourself and hire your own coach. Need more education to qualify for a new position? Go get it. Bold moves like this will show your boss that you’re taking your career seriously and will signal to him that you’re preparing yourself for something bigger. If he fails to consider you for the next opportunity that arises, then consider all your options.
• Be super selective in terms of who you work with.?Don’t settle for just any coach. Choose someone that you believe can truly help you. Ideally, you want to work with someone who has been where you’d like to be. For example, clients hire me because I was in the executive suite myself. I understand the challenges they’re facing and can provide guidance based on experience rather than theory.
• If you’re not happy, find a new position or a different career.?One thing we’ve all learned from the pandemic is that tomorrow is not promised to anyone. Many of you are downright miserable in your jobs, or you’re in a career that’s no longer working for you. Now’s the time to act. There are currently 7.4 M job openings here in the U.S. No excuses, people. Go find some happiness.
• Ignore unsolicited advice.?Maybe you’ve got a friend or a family member who keeps telling you that you’re lucky to have a job and that you’re reaching higher than your capabilities. Tell that person to bug off (even if it’s your spouse). Instead, listen to your heart and don’t be afraid to pursue something new. What’s the worst thing that can happen? Things don’t work out, and you look for a similar job like the one you left. Or maybe, you’re super successful.

There’s a ton of opportunity on the horizon. Now’s the time to prepare yourself to advance your career forward.

And that's where my Promotion Accelerator 4-Week Coaching Initiative comes in. This program is designed to help you master the art of self-promotion, boost your visibility, and fast-track your career growth.

Want to learn how to craft compelling stories about your achievements? Curious about building a personal brand that resonates with decision-makers? Ready to develop a promotion strategy that feels authentic to you?

Reach out to me at [email protected] and let's discuss how the Promotion Accelerator can help you level up your career game. Your future self will thank you.