The Promotion Playbook: 5 Subtle Behaviors That Set You Apart
It’s the little things that help you go to the next level and get promoted.
These simple little things are:
- Doing what you say
- Putting the business first
- Being a friendly teammate
- Up-leveling those around you
- Fitting into your team’s culture
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Let’s understand each of them:
1. Doing what you say
There’s the dependable that will get the job done. There’s the dependable that will get it done when they say. And then there’s the dependable who do everything they say or updated you that they wouldn’t.
Leaders expect mistakes and delays. But they can’t tolerate brushing under the rug. Being dependable means proactively following up when things change. It’s being that tenth a percent more dependable. Leaders prefer to promote the most dependable people.
2. Putting the business first
There are countless opportunities daily to do what’s right for you. But do you do what’s right for the business?
Let’s take launching a feature with neutral impact as an example. It’s a classic case of “good for you, but not the business.” Many wouldn’t launch. That’s putting the business first. It’s a good start, and gets you along the scale.
But there’s more, those who go the extra step. They don’t grow their team when times are tough. They sacrifice their time for others. Putting the business first MORE matters. Such little changes in behaviour make you that much more a requirement to promote.
3. Being a friendly teammate
There’s being friendly and then there’s being really friendly. 50% of people just aren’t on the friendly spectrum to begin with. They’re hard to work with, take credit but not blame, and slow down meetings. They are easy not to promote.
Then there’s this whole world of friendly teammates. The vast majority are what Adam Grant calls “matchers.” They match friendly behavior. But there are some who are more “giver than matcher.” As you move up on this spectrum, you become someone others advocate to promote.
4. Up-leveling those around you
The people who get promoted fastest are constantly exhibiting little things to make others better.
They model great behaviour. They exhibit exquisite craftsmanship. They set up assists to help others shine. They don’t just work to get things done, but they improve the overall process of getting there.
Little differences in the scale add up to big differences come promotion consideration time.
5. Fitting into your team’s culture
Even if you are doing all of the above, it’s critical to be a “culture carrier.” There are little small gradations that really make the difference. The most common mistake is to bring along the old culture of your old job.
It’s critical to fit into the quirks that matter to your team. Some may care about writing. Some may care about social events. Some may care about responding off hours. Those who get promoted observe these fine details and excel.
