Strategies for faster promotion

MOST professionals make the same mistake when aiming for a promotion. They either assume hard work speaks for itself or that their boss will advocate on their behalf. But you don’t get promoted by simply working hard. Tangible career advancement comes from making your impact undeniable.

- TIFFANY UMAN

A Harvard Business Review study found that only 10% of managers can accurately recall their team’s contributions at year-end reviews.

This means that 90% of the value you create could be forgotten unless you make it visible. Similarly, a McKinsey study found that top performers who actively manage visibility are promoted twice as fast as their peers.

Both studies highlight that it’s not just about what you do — it’s how well key decision-makers see, understand and value your contributions.

Here are some strategies to get promoted faster:

Tie to impact

Making an impact is about driving clear results for the business. Where possible, quantify your work in terms of tangible figures such as sales growth, cost reduction, process improvements, time gains, efficiencies, and so on.

Why it works: Senior leaders think in terms of business outcomes. Attach numbers to everything because it’s difficult to deny hard facts and data.

Speak up

Your voice matters - especially in leadership meetings. Speak to the event co-ordinator prior to the meeting so you get a clear idea of topics that will be covered. This enables you to proactively think of valuable insights and messages you might want to share.