Working long, thankless hours is bad for the soul – and it may not be doing your career any good, either. If you’re looking to rise within your organization, you will be heartened to hear that getting a promotion is no longer a case of out-working your “rivals.” Rather, relationships and meaningful engagement with the business are far more important.
10 Steps To a Promotion (Without Working Longer)
Indeed, leading management consultant Harvey J. Coleman has shown how the work you do (“Performance”) only makes up 10% of what will get you promoted. What other people think of you (“Image”) makes up the next 30%, while how aware others are of the work you’re doing (“Exposure”) balances out the rest.
Of course, you’re not about to start easing up on your “performance” – but Coleman’s way of looking at things clearly emphasizes the benefits of working smarter, not working harder. For instance, instead of plowing through quantifiable tasks each morning before the boss even hits the office, try matching your schedule to hers and making a point of asking for feedback on what you’re doing. This demonstrates the work you’ve put in, your desire to improve, and your interest in the company’s welfare.
[RELATED: 5 Not So Obvious Reasons You Haven’t Been Promoted]
And remember that those around you are also a part of the bigger picture. Ask for help if you need it, and offer help when it looks like someone else does. Taking time out of your own schedule may seem counter-productive, but a meaningful professional encounter will improve your position in the firm more than ticking a couple more tasks off of your to-do list.
This infographic gathers these tips and more into a veritable roadmap to promotion. From figuring out your company’s fundamental mechanics to learning from the successes of others, it’s a positive and actionable path towards building your profile in the workplace and stepping up to the next level.
