Key Takeaways
1. Timing Is Critical in Career Advancement
Employers are not rewarding strong performers for their past contributions; they are investing in their future contributions.
Career Advancement is Forward-Looking. Promotions are not rewards for past performance but investments in potential future performance. Companies optimize staffing changes by considering multiple factors beyond just an employee's current achievements.
Factors Affecting Promotion Opportunities:
- Cost of replacing the current employee
- Potential disruption to existing workflows
- Risk assessment of the candidate
- Availability of the employee for the new role
Strategic Positioning. Successful careerists anticipate organizational changes and position themselves as solutions to emerging needs. They create opportunities by demonstrating readiness and potential value before formal opportunities are announced.
2. You Must Get Noticed to Progress
Do what you love, and the success will follow. That sounds like good advice, but it's not.
Visibility Matters. Exceptional performance alone is insufficient for career advancement. You must actively communicate your achievements, develop a network, and ensure decision-makers are aware of your contributions.
Strategies for Getting Noticed:
- Maintain a detailed "brag sheet" of accomplishments
- Communicate wins strategically
- Build relationships across departments
- Volunteer for high-visibility projects
- Develop strong communication skills
Personal Branding. Consistently demonstrate value by solving problems, showing initiative, and aligning your work with organizational goals. Your reputation is a critical career asset that requires intentional management.
3. Continuous Learning Is Essential
Fortune favors the prepared mind.
Lifelong Learning as a Career Strategy. In a rapidly changing work environment, continuous skill development is not optional but necessary for career survival and advancement. Autodidacts who can quickly learn and adapt have a significant competitive advantage.
Learning Approaches:
- Anticipate organizational skill needs
- Pursue diverse learning opportunities
- Be proactive in skills acquisition
- Develop skills before they become mandatory
- Look beyond traditional educational paths
Self-Development Investment. Successful professionals invest time and sometimes personal resources in developing skills that position them for future opportunities, demonstrating commitment to their career growth.
4. Sales Skills Are Universal
All business is sales. If you don't think you are in sales, you are simply mistaken.
Sales as a Fundamental Skill. Regardless of your role, selling involves persuading others, presenting ideas, and creating value. Effective communication and the ability to influence are crucial across all professional domains.
Key Sales Skills:
- Positive attitude
- Understanding others' perspectives
- Persistent communication
- Creativity in messaging
- Ability to overcome objections
Professional Influence. Developing sales skills helps in negotiating promotions, presenting ideas, building relationships, and creating opportunities beyond traditional sales roles.
5. Develop a Strategic Career Ascension Plan
Companies have succession plans for key officers. Likewise, a careerist ought to have an ascension plan for career continuity.
Intentional Career Management. A successful career requires deliberate planning, not passive waiting. Create a comprehensive strategy that includes skill development, networking, and clear advancement goals.
Ascension Plan Components:
- Specific career title targets
- Skill acquisition strategy
- Self-promotion approach
- Contingency planning
- Periodic plan reassessment
Proactive Career Development. Fast-track professionals create their own opportunities by anticipating organizational needs and positioning themselves strategically.
6. Always Make Your Boss Look Good
Your reputation and future are closely tied to your boss's reputation and future.
Strategic Boss Management. Supporting your boss's success is not just about being a good employee, but a critical career strategy. Your professional growth is interconnected with your boss's perception and advancement.
Supportive Strategies:
- Deliver exceptional work
- Communicate effectively
- Avoid workplace gossip
- Provide solutions, not just problems
- Make your boss's objectives your priority
Relationship Management. Building a positive, supportive relationship with your boss can create opportunities and provide career protection.
7. Leverage Connections with High Performers
When any object moves through any medium, it creates suction behind it.
Career Momentum Through Association. Aligning yourself with high-performing colleagues can create unexpected career opportunities through their professional networks and achievements.
Networking Strategies:
- Identify and learn from top performers
- Seek collaborative opportunities
- Build mutually beneficial relationships
- Be valuable to your network
- Stay open to unexpected connections
Strategic Positioning. By standing near "superstars," you increase your chances of advancement through shared opportunities and enhanced visibility.
8. Find Mentors and Strategic Allies
Guardian angels and benefactors are people who believe in you, who watch out for you and have your best interests at heart.
Building Professional Support Network. Cultivating relationships with experienced professionals who can provide guidance, introduce opportunities, and advocate for your career is crucial.
Mentorship Approaches:
- Seek advisors outside direct reporting line
- Provide value to potential mentors
- Develop genuine, mutually respectful relationships
- Be selective about mentorship connections
Career Protection. Strategic allies can provide information, protection, and opportunities that might not be accessible through traditional channels.
9. Be Willing to Relocate and Take Risks
Do you have a career or do you have a lifestyle?
Mobility as a Career Accelerator. Willingness to relocate and take calculated risks can significantly enhance career progression and opportunities for advancement.
Relocation Considerations:
- Evaluate long-term career potential
- Negotiate comprehensive relocation packages
- Consider skill development opportunities
- Maintain flexibility
- Look beyond immediate assignment details
Strategic Risk-Taking. Successful careerists view relocations as investments in their professional growth, not just geographical moves.
10. Your Career Is More Than Your Current Job
You are not your job. You are not your career.
Holistic Career Perspective. Recognize that your professional journey involves continuous learning, adaptation, and personal development beyond your current role.
Career Management Principles:
- Separate personal identity from professional roles
- Continuously develop transferable skills
- Maintain a forward-looking perspective
- Balance professional ambition with personal fulfillment
- View each role as a learning opportunity
Personal Growth. Understanding that your career is a dynamic journey allows for more strategic and fulfilling professional development.
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FAQ
What's "Who Gets Promoted, Who Doesn't, and Why" about?
- Career Advancement Focus: The book by Donald Asher explores the dynamics of career advancement, focusing on the factors that influence who gets promoted and who doesn't.
- Practical Advice: It provides practical advice and strategies for individuals aiming to climb the corporate ladder, emphasizing the importance of timing, visibility, and strategic career management.
- Case Studies and Interviews: The book includes case studies and interviews with fast-track careerists, HR professionals, and executives to illustrate real-world applications of the strategies discussed.
- Comprehensive Guide: It serves as a comprehensive guide for anyone looking to understand the unwritten rules of promotions and how to navigate them effectively.
Why should I read "Who Gets Promoted, Who Doesn't, and Why"?
- Insightful Strategies: The book offers insightful strategies that can help you manage your career more effectively and increase your chances of getting promoted.
- Real-World Examples: It includes real-world examples and case studies that provide a practical understanding of how promotions work in different organizational contexts.
- Career Management: It emphasizes the importance of actively managing your career rather than passively experiencing it, which is crucial for long-term success.
- Expert Advice: Written by Donald Asher, a career expert with over twenty years of experience, the book provides credible and actionable advice.
What are the key takeaways of "Who Gets Promoted, Who Doesn't, and Why"?
- Timing and Performance: Timing is as important as performance or talent when it comes to promotions. Being available and prepared when opportunities arise is crucial.
- Visibility Matters: Getting noticed is essential. It's not just about doing a great job but ensuring that the right people know about your accomplishments.
- Lifelong Learning: Continuous learning and skill development are necessary for career advancement. Anticipating and acquiring the skills needed for future roles is vital.
- Strategic Networking: Building relationships with mentors, benefactors, and high-potential colleagues can provide support and open doors for new opportunities.
What are the best quotes from "Who Gets Promoted, Who Doesn't, and Why" and what do they mean?
- "Timing is as important as performance or talent.": This highlights the significance of being in the right place at the right time, ready to seize opportunities as they arise.
- "You have to get noticed.": Emphasizes the importance of visibility in career advancement, suggesting that doing a great job isn't enough if no one knows about it.
- "Lifelong learning is required for lifelong success.": Stresses the need for continuous education and skill development to stay competitive and advance in your career.
- "All business is sales.": Suggests that selling your ideas, skills, and potential is crucial in any business environment, regardless of your role.
How does Donald Asher define an "Ascension Plan" in the book?
- Career Continuity: An ascension plan is a strategy for career continuity, outlining how you will ascend in your career through specific goals and timelines.
- Skillset Assessment: It involves honest assessments of the skills and experiences needed for advancement and how to acquire them.
- Event Triggers: The plan includes event triggers, such as time-based or accomplishment-based milestones, to prompt career moves or reassessments.
- Proactive Approach: It emphasizes taking responsibility for creating your next opportunity rather than waiting for it to happen.
What role does "Timing" play in promotions according to the book?
- Not a Reward: Promotions are not rewards for past performance but investments in future contributions, making timing crucial.
- Availability: Being available when opportunities arise is essential. If you're tied up in critical assignments, you might miss out.
- Anticipation: Anticipating upcoming opportunities and positioning yourself as a solution before they are officially posted can give you an edge.
- Managing Workload: Drawing your work to closure and having a replacement ready can make you more promotable when the timing is right.
How important is "Getting Noticed" in career advancement as per the book?
- Beyond Performance: Doing a great job is not enough; you must ensure that the right people know about your accomplishments.
- Communication Network: Developing a communication network outside of your immediate boss and direct reports is crucial for spreading the word about your successes.
- Brag Sheet: Keeping a "brag sheet" of your accomplishments tied to organizational goals can help in managing your work history and reviews.
- Visibility Tactics: Engaging in activities that increase your visibility, such as volunteering for special projects or speaking roles, is important.
What does the book say about "Lifelong Learning"?
- Anticipate Needs: Fast-track careerists anticipate the needs of their organizations and acquire new skills proactively.
- Diverse Learning Sources: Lifelong learning involves using a variety of sources, including the internet, trade publications, and professional associations.
- Autodidact Advantage: Being an autodidact, or self-taught learner, is advantageous as it allows you to obtain critical skills on the fly.
- Skillset Gap Analysis: Regularly assessing and bridging the gap between your current skills and those needed for future roles is essential.
How does "All Business is Sales" apply to career advancement in the book?
- Selling Yourself: Regardless of your role, you are always selling your skills, ideas, and potential to others in the organization.
- Attitude and Perception: A positive attitude and the ability to think like someone else are crucial for influencing others and selling your ideas.
- Persistence and Creativity: Persistence in presenting your ideas and creativity in your messaging can help overcome objections and get to "yes."
- Preparation for Meetings: Preparing thoroughly for meetings and understanding the motivations of others can enhance your ability to sell your ideas effectively.
What is the significance of "Guardian Angels and Benefactors" in the book?
- Support System: Having friends higher up the org chart who believe in you can provide a protective layer and support your career advancement.
- Access to Information: Angels and benefactors can offer valuable information, advice, and counsel, helping you navigate organizational challenges.
- Mentor Relationships: Building mentor relationships can smooth your passage into and upward within an organization, offering guidance and support.
- Likeability Factor: Being likeable and doing favors for others can help cultivate these important relationships.
What does the book suggest about "Moving" for career advancement?
- Career vs. Lifestyle: Choosing career advancement often requires being open to relocation, as it can provide more opportunities for growth.
- Two-Turndown Rule: Many companies have an unwritten rule that turning down two promotions can stall your career, emphasizing the importance of flexibility.
- Negotiation Opportunities: Relocation offers a chance to renegotiate various aspects of your employment, including compensation and benefits.
- Bigger Picture: Considering the long-term career benefits of relocation rather than focusing solely on the immediate assignment is crucial.
How does the book address the role of "Luck" in career success?
- Preparedness: Luck favors those who are prepared. Being ready for opportunities when they arise can make you appear "lucky."
- Nimbleness: Being nimble and open to unexpected opportunities can lead to career advancements that were not part of your original plan.
- Opportunity Recognition: Recognizing and capitalizing on opportunities, even those that come from unexpected sources, is key to leveraging luck.
- Balance of Planning and Flexibility: While planning is important, being flexible and willing to take risks can enhance your career trajectory.
Review Summary
Who Gets Promoted, Who Doesn't, and Why offers practical advice on career advancement. Readers appreciate its insights into workplace dynamics and promotion strategies. Many find it helpful for understanding corporate politics and developing professional skills. Some criticize its American-centric approach and occasional outdated advice. The book is praised for its real-world examples and tips for various career stages. While some find it eye-opening, others consider it common sense. Overall, it's viewed as a valuable resource for those seeking career growth, despite some limitations.
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