Bill: So "Boss," how did you get promoted to your current level?

Bosses:

• I came in early and left late everyday. The company always knew they could count on me to give it my all.


• I never asked anyone to do what I wasn't willing to do myself.


• I saved the company from a possible lawsuit by correcting a problem before it became serious.


• I worked there longer than anyone else and I guess they figured it was my turn.
  
  
  • Although this can work you still have to possess "boss qualities" and obviously you have to be very patient.


• I showed the company owner that he could trust me, and he did. He gave me more and more responsibility until eventually I was running the entire company.


• I was promoted to the highest position at which point I decided to start my own company; it has made all the difference.


• I established great relationships with corporate execs over a period of years. They saw my performance and promoted me as a result.


• I could see my boss was really going somewhere so I clung on to his coat-tails and went along for the ride.
  • If your boss is a "mover and shaker" you might really consider this approach. I have seen many people get promoted because they became the boss's right-hand.


• I knew the business better than anyone else and was the best prepared to take over.


• I worked in a family-operated business and over time became like one of the trusted family members.
  • There is often a hierarchy to family-run businesses that doesn't allow outsiders to rise to the top. This man showed that he was even more committed to the company than the son who was to become the CEO, and his father's successor.


• I never talked bad about people and never ever gave them a reason to question my integrity.


• I really don't know why they promoted me; I think the boss just liked me.
  • We all know this happens, but to be fair, this man was a 110% kind of employee and deserved his position all the way.


• I was in the boss's face day-in and day-out. We became more like partners. I think he had to promote me to get rid of me.


• I was very good at my job and I didn't quit; I think they just looked around and said "who's still here?"


• They knew they had to promote me or I'd be gone before too long.
  • This is very common and I have seen this played out many times. Unfortunately, this situation sometimes forces ultimatums and doesn't necessarily put the best people in leadership roles.


• I was willing to do anything asked of me and always did my very best.

Bill: So "Boss," why do you promote people?

Bosses:

I Promote People Because...

• They do what I ask them to without complaining and usually better than expected.


• I have learned to trust them.


• They have proven themselves to me.


• They make me look good.


• They will be promoted anyway, you can just tell. I'd rather have them on my team than let them go to someone else.


• They deserve it.


• They will make me more successful at my job.


• If I didn't promote some people they might leave the company and we would miss them (their talents and abilities etc.)


• They have earned the right to advance.


• People watch my back and I watch theirs.


• They were simply the best person for the job.


• I knew they wouldn't steal from me.


• My boss told me to.


• They interviewed better than anyone else.


• I knew they would do a great job based on past experience and never worried about them rising to the new position.

The following comments and tips came from bosses at various levels and are worth noting. I have elaborated on some of their statements and added a few of my own for good measure.

Sign Up With a "Head-Hunter" (Professional Employment Recruiter)

Anyone can call a head-hunter and tell him or her you are looking for a job, a better job, or even a very specific job in a specific location. A good head-hunter will do all they can to place you in a new job because their fees (almost always paid by the hiring company) are only earned if they place you.

Sometimes a head-hunter will ask if he or she can speak with your current employer about you or if your boss would be a good reference for you. Although head-hunters could help you get a new position at a different company (their primary role,) some people encourage head-hunters to call their bosses about them because of the implications it can have. Your boss(s) might feel they are in jeopardy of losing you. If you are a great employee with advancement potential, they could be suddenly inspired to prevent your leaving through promotions, raises, or promises of this nature.

I'm not recommending this maneuver, and it has the potential to really backfire on you. After all, where is your loyalty? And, since most head-hunters only get paid if they place you in a new job, you would really be wasting their time if your engaging them was really just a farce.

On the other hand, if you are sincerely looking for higher employment, head-hunters can help you find it if you are a highly employable person. If your boss was contacted then he or she would have some real thinking to do before seeing you leave for greener pastures. Maybe your boss would sweeten your pot to keep you around?

This tip borders on manipulation in ways that make me slightly uncomfortable. I've put it here anyway so you can read it and perhaps adapt it to your needs. You'll need to feel good about everything you do to get ahead at work. My advice is to never compromise your integrity or self-respect, as it is far more precious than most else we possess.

Sincere Compliments

No Sucking-up right? Right! But that doesn't mean you can't recognize the skills, talents, abilities, good nature, kindness, excellence, etc. of your co-workers and even your bosses. The key is to always be genuine and not over-do it.

You can even go out of your way to pay someone a sincere compliment just because they could use a little boost from time to time. Most of us tend to shy away from receiving compliments, but that doesn't mean we don't appreciate them when we know they are genuine. It's a good habit to get into, and it helps build team morale and your likeability.

Never Publicly Undermine Your Primary Customer (Your Boss)

Bosses are people too, but they are very sensitive generally speaking, to public criticism and being undermined. You will jeopardize your most essential promotion-winning relationship if you embarrass your boss publicly. Bosses want, even crave, your support especially in front of the "troops." Give it to them.

If your boss is off-base and really needs some correcting, I have found it very useful to ask the right questions until they see the error of their ways. Most bosses will appreciate the gentle, private, and respectful way you are treating them and will self-correct. Other bosses appreciate being confronted privately with some directness. You'll need to analyze your boss a bit before approaching them with serious corrections.

Just Do A Good Job?

Speaking with one Human Resources Director for a major national company he said "The biggest mistake I see people make, is they think that doing a good job is enough, and that someone will recognize that and promote them." He went on to say "It doesn't matter how great a worker you are if you haven't been networking with the right people you won't get promoted." Powerful and true words!

Doing a good job is never enough. All the bosses I know agree whole-heartedly that you must go well beyond expectations to win the best promotions.

Extroverts Get More Promotions

Sorry, but it is true. If you are very introverted you are much less likely to get promotions that involve leadership roles. Of course depending on just how introverted you are, you may not want this type of promotion anyway.

You don't have to be the life of the party, but you should be fully present at the party. Shake hands, smile, tell a good joke here and there, give presentations comfortably, speak up when you have something to say, it's good to be noticed.

If you seem shy and awkward around people, many bosses will assume it's your lack of confidence or competence. A lack of either of these would not be acceptable in advanced leadership positions. You may be thinking, "but, I'm a programmer or an accountant and don't need to work with people." That is almost always wrong. In fact, what I have found is that some of the less competent programmers, though very talented, get the leadership positions in their departments and the big bucks because of their people skills. It's almost impossible to avoid being a leader, at least at some level, in advanced positions.

Learn How to Give Great Presentations

Be creative and energetic and give the kind of presentations you would really enjoy watching. If you don't know how to present information in interesting ways, you need to learn. A huge part of many advanced positions is presenting information before groups. If you really stink at it, that alone may lessen your promoteability.

Take a public speaking class, read books on the subject, or buy a tutorial on CD's, but do something. Even if you are comfortable presenting in front of people, it really helps to practice for that polished and professional look.

Be Creative in All You Do

So much of the daily routine is just that, routine. You can add a little spice by doing things just 5% differently than anyone else and it can be so simple. Instead of having doughnuts brought to a meeting, have a vegetable or fruit tray or an exotic ethnic dish delivered. Instead of having a meeting in the same old conference room, hold it on the lawn or offsite at a hotel or college. Instead of turning in raw statistics about market share, write a brief summary regarding the implications of the stats to go with the numbers. There are an infinite number of ways to jazz-up, your work life and make it much more interesting without going overboard.

I like to consider the results people expect and then give them something more than they expected. That's a pretty easy formula to remember.

Example:

My youngest daughter went through a time when she craved peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. When I made her one, I would always cut it into different shapes, often letters. We had a great time doing a mundane thing and I take some credit for her learning the alphabet so well.

Master Interviewing

Like I mentioned earlier, we won't be covering this subject in this guide. It is, however, essential that you become very comfortable and confident in the interviewing process. There are many good resources on this topic so check them out. I like many of the materials on Monster.com or there are a good many resources HERE at ClickBank, an online e-book store. Wherever you learn interviewing, you really need to do it well. Don't skimp on pre-interview role playing and practicing.

Along with interviewing, you really need to get your resume and maybe a good cover letter in shape. The same resources above will also help you with these items.

Treat Everyone Very Well

I know for many people reading this, it goes without saying, but when I say "treat everyone very well" I mean just that: everyone. The whole company will be better off if more people treat others with respect and you never know who else is watching.

Great Employees are Self-Managed

Perhaps one of the biggest differences between good employees and great employees, is that great employees take care of themselves. They don't spend a lot of time running to the boss for every little thing; instead they resolve issues using the support systems they have developed. Great employees rarely receive instructions from superiors. They are experts in their positions and manage their tasks. They prepare for what is ahead before being instructed to do so. Not only will great employees take care of themselves, but they will also help others, which further reduces the strain on their superiors. Every boss hopes for self-managed employees who run their position like a business in itself.

Can I Trust You?

This is the most basic and critical question your would-be promoters are asking. Can I trust you? They want to know if you'll "have their back." Will you make them look good? Or, conversely, will you cost them their job or credibility, etc.? Being trustworthy in every way is absolutely critical to winning the best promotions. Please believe me as this is so important. You must become absolutely trustworthy if you are not already.

Chapter 21 Summary Points

• There are many ways in which bosses arrive at their positions. Most of them earned their rank through hard work and integrity. Great people make great bosses.


• Bosses promote others for many reasons. Find out what your bosses' value and you will know what will help you be promoted.


• Sincere compliments make you more likeable and raise the morale of your co-workers. Generally people won't compliment others if they feel threatened or inadequate themselves.


• Never publicly undermine your boss. If they need correction, do it privately, tactfully, and with respect.


• Surpass all expectations in your job. Just doing the basics will never be enough for the best promotions.


• Extroverts really do win more promotions. Take a chance and put yourself out there for all to see.


• Master presentation skills. This is critical in most professions.


• Master Interviewing skills and tighten your resume.


• Be creative in all that you do. People will appreciate it.


• Great employees are self-managed.


• Treat everyone very well and be absolutely trustworthy. Your character is being judged more than your resume when it comes to great promotions.

Bill Hanover is author of "No Sucking-Up! How to Win the Job Promotions You Deserve" and a Lean Manufacturing Consultant. You may learn more about "No Sucking-Up" at www.nosuckingup.com or Bill's consulting services at www.tpslean.com