Why am I not getting promoted?
Should you quit or stay?
"Should I quit my job and go somewhere else?" - my clients ask me this question more than any other.
I always reply to them - not until you are aware of the true issue. If you don't find and fix the underlying cause of your stagnation, you will keep running into the same problem at various levels. Remember, lessons repeat until learned.
There are two possible explanations for why you are not getting promoted.
1. People don't know you.
2. You are considered but not chosen.
These are distinct and you must understand the potential causes.
1. Attention.
The following reasons might apply if you do not have the right visibility:?
You are putting in a lot of effort and want to get noticed. There is an increased competition for fewer seats at higher levels. It is possible that others are more effectively demonstrating their impact to the business. You don't possess the required connections. People at all levels support those they trust, especially as you move up the ranks. You could have good job but your connections might not be strong enough to support it. Now go build your network within your company.
It will cost you to believe that you should "focus on relationships" or "promote yourself", it doesn't matter how angry you become about this.
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2. Thought about but rejected.
This may occur as a result of:
- You work on "current role" tasks and not on "next-level" tasks. This is a typical cause of stalled situations for ICs and middle managers. For instance, you are working as a product manager without demonstrating your visionary leadership side be take up Senior PM or even a VP of Product role.
- You underestimate your own value. Review the candid feedback you received from your manager, manager peers, skip, peers and especially those that don't like you in a 360-degree honest constructive feedback assessment. Acquire and confront the truth within you.
- At the next level, there are no open positions or requirements. Not in a rapid growth setting? Then, in the event of a downsizing, be the one to inherit teams. Provide value by putting out fresh concepts and endeavors. Accept new challenges.
- You possess a personality gap. You may be too quiet, judgmental, harsh, erratic or have some other weakness despite being excellent in your role. Utilize 360-degree input to ascertain this and then take steps to rectify it.
- Broader skills are expected at the next level. Even though you are excellent in current role, you may require finance experience or another qualification for the next level. Have a look at people who are in the role you want, discuss with them, ask them to mentor you and talk to your manager about the requirements to advance.
One last explanation is unconscious prejudice. Although it is easy to blame, this does occur. Take a close look at the factors above that are under your control first. It is the time to go to a better location if you can get rid of those.
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