Are You Ready for a Promotion?

Read Time: 3 mins

Many professionals work hard but find themselves stuck, wondering why they’re not moving up. It’s not just about doing great work—promotion decisions are influenced by how you’re perceived, your strategic thinking, and your vision. The Promotability Index ® (PI), developed by Amii Barnard-Bahn, provides a structured way to assess career readiness. It focuses on five critical elements that drive promotion decisions:

1. Self-Awareness: Understanding Your Strengths and Areas for Growth

Self-awareness is the foundation of professional development. It involves recognising your strengths, blind spots, values, and motivations. Leaders with strong self-awareness are more likely to be trusted and respected, which directly impacts their promotability.

🔹 Action Steps:
✔ Seek Feedback: Regularly request constructive input from peers, mentors, and supervisors to uncover strengths and areas for improvement.
✔ Reflect on Experiences: Analyse past career setbacks and achievements to identify patterns that inform your development.

2. External Awareness: How Are You Perceived?

Even if you’re delivering strong results, perception matters. Leaders don’t just evaluate performance—they assess how well you collaborate, communicate, and influence others.

Research indicates that professionals who actively develop leadership skills and increase their visibility are more likely to be considered for promotions than those who rely solely on tenure. This underscores that career advancement isn’t just about what you do—it’s about how others experience your leadership.

🔹 Action Steps:
✔ Observe Who Gets Promoted: What behaviours do they exhibit? Are they more visible? More strategic? Identify what sets them apart.
✔ Build Strategic Relationships: Develop professional relationships across all levels to enhance your reputation and visibility.
✔ Strengthen Your Network: Engage with senior leaders and decision-makers by joining key projects or committees.

3. Strategic Thinking: Are You Contributing Beyond Your Role?

Promotions often go to those who think beyond their immediate tasks and contribute to business objectives. Leaders are looking for individuals who solve problems, understand the bigger picture, and anticipate challenges.

🔹 Action Steps:
✔ Align with Business Goals: Regularly assess how your work supports company objectives.
✔ Develop a Problem-Solving Mindset: Proactively suggest process improvements or efficiencies.
✔ Demonstrate Commercial Awareness: Stay informed about your company’s financials, industry trends, and competitors.

4. Executive Presence: Do You Inspire Confidence?

People who project confidence and communicate with clarity are more likely to be perceived as leadership material. HBR research shows that leaders with strong executive presence are consistently chosen for high-visibility projects, paving the way for promotions.

🔹 Action Steps:
✔ Refine Your Communication Style: Speak with clarity, confidence, and conviction in meetings.
✔ Manage Your Presence in Meetings: Engage with senior stakeholders and contribute insights that add value.
✔ Stay Composed Under Pressure: Demonstrate calmness, decisiveness, and control in high-stakes situations.

5. Thought Leadership: Are You Known for Your Expertise?

Being promotable means being recognised as an expert inside and outside your organisation. This doesn’t mean becoming an influencer, but it does mean sharing insights, contributing to discussions, and adding value beyond your job description.

🔹 Action Steps:
✔ Engage in Professional Discussions: Write articles, mentor others, or speak at industry events.
✔ Build Your Reputation: Share insights within your professional network.
✔ Position Yourself as a Go-To Expert: Offer expertise in meetings, projects, and industry forums.

The Importance of Self-Promotion (Without Feeling Inauthentic)

Many professionals assume that hard work alone will get them noticed. However, visibility plays a crucial role in promotions. Self-promotion doesn’t mean bragging—it means ensuring that your contributions are recognised by decision-makers.

🔹 Action Steps:
✔ Document Your Achievements: Keep a record of key projects, outcomes, and leadership contributions.
✔ Share Your Wins Authentically: Provide regular updates on your progress and impact in a way that feels natural.
✔ Advocate for Yourself in Performance Reviews: Be prepared to communicate your value clearly.

Building Strategic Relationships That Support Your Promotion

Strong relationships with mentors, sponsors, and senior stakeholders can significantly impact your career trajectory. Promotions often require advocates at the table—leaders who can vouch for your readiness.

🔹 Action Steps:
✔ Identify Key Decision-Makers: Who influences promotions in your organisation? How can you build trust with them?
✔ Seek a Sponsor (Not Just a Mentor): A mentor advises you, but a sponsor actively advocates for your career advancement.
✔ Develop Cross-Functional Relationships: Expand your network beyond your immediate team to increase exposure.

Next Steps: Take Control of Your Career Growth

If you’re aiming for a promotion, it’s helpful to assess where you stand in these five promotability factors. The Promotability Index offers a structured self-assessment to help you identify strengths and areas for development.

Take the Promotability Index Assessment today: Link to assessment