Q. There is a promotion available in my department. I’ve worked hard and excelled, but I am concerned I won’t be the first person considered. I am an introvert and tend to be quiet in meetings. How do I make sure my name is in the running?
A. Make sure your name is in the running by realizing that even introverts can get ahead – you may just have to push yourself to do what does not come naturally. Unless your boss is also the office telepath, there is simply no way he or she will know how much you want this position.
Start by setting up some time to talk with your boss about planning for the next year. In the meeting, tell your boss directly that you want the promotion and explain why you are the best candidate.
During the meeting, do not offer your boss vague praise about your contribution. Give him or her words that describe the results you have created in your current position. Finish the meeting by giving clear, specific promises of what you will achieve if you are given this promotion.
A big mistake many employees make is not offering their boss black-and-white data about what they have done and what they will do. Managers are impressed by what you have and can do for them if given the right opportunities. Managers are dismayed when employees act entitled or criticize other co-workers.
Realize also that promotions are not always rational. If your boss thinks you are an office superhero but also that you create conflict everywhere you go, you won’t get the job. No boss wants an employee that makes other employees come in whining to the boss.
Take a good look at what you know about your boss’s professional hopes and dreams. The more you can help your boss get where he or she wants to go, the better your odds of tying your star to your boss’s wagon.
During the period when several of your coworkers are competing for this same job, don’t make enemies of your office team. If you don’t get the job this time around, one of these “competitors” may have a significant influence on a future promotion. You will compete best if you focus on your strengths, not on your co-workers’ weaknesses.
The last word(s)
Q. One member of my team has stopped pulling his load. The rest of us are sick of carrying his workload. Is there a way to get him to do his fair share?
A. Yes. If you keep doing his work, your manager will never feel enough pain to discipline this guy. Stop doing his workload and let your manager do his job.
