It's summer time - or so we're told - and while your boss is swanning about on the Riviera, chances are that you are plotting your next career move. For many of us, that will mean seeking fame and fortune elsewhere, but for others, it will mean staying put and grabbing the chance of a promotion. But how to go about it?
According to Dominic Turnbull of The McLane Group, "There's nothing stopping you from getting a promotion apart from yourself. It is really important to challenge yourself on a daily basis so that you don't just deliver, you over-deliver. Believe in yourself and your abilities and the rest will come naturally. You could be a natural leader; you just might not know it yet."
Here are his top ten tips on getting a promotion:
- Be politically correct - know what to say, when to say it and who to - get this right and the corporate ladder will be open
- Get a mentor for yourself (a mentor must have clout and stature in your organisation).He or she is committed to your success and promotion.
- Really understand what your boss and other senior managers are concerned about and ensure that you are addressing these in the way you conduct your own job. This is very different from "sucking up to them". It is authentically convincing them that you appreciate and are focussed on the bigger picture and not just satisfied with doing a good job in your own "little" pool.
- Stay in communication with the senior management - don't wait for them to contact you!
- Not only deliver but where possible over-deliver - consistently meet targets and show the bosses what you really can do
- Go beyond the call of duty - bosses looking for those are not only do a good job but also who take the initiative
- Adapt to your situation - be flexible as to your career and the development it will take - this will make your chances of promotion much higher
- Don't be afraid - bosses promote natural leaders mainly as leadership means having strong opinions and knowing how to express them regardless of who you step on along the way
- Learn new skills wherever and whenever you can - ask to work with clients who are doing the most innovative projects and request extra training to expand your skill set
- Believe in yourself - believe you're good at what you're telling people you're good at - by selling yourself people will have more belief in you as a leader
