Remember how you felt when your boss didn’t put through that promotion? How frustrated and angry were you? Did you do everything right, but still didn’t get put forward? It’s tough, I know. When you’ve put extra effort in to excel, when you went that extra mile and when you achieved all the goals set, but your boss still says no. In this blog I will share some experiences from what to do in that situation and how you could overcome your dilemma.
Missed Part One or Two or Three?
In the past I experienced just the above. I ticked all the boxes, put in the extra hours, went the extra mile and did the job two levels above me as well as my own, yet still lost out.
I went through a series of steps which moved me from a place of negativity and self-pity to positive emotion and action. Personally, I believe that I didn’t fit into my old bosses group, but that’s the past. Action takes us forward and that’s what you can do.
Note: The following steps assume that you have go through goal setting, reviewed your goals with your boss, requested a promotion and were turned down.
- Start with yourself
When you lose out on a promotion it’s easy to go to a blame of blame, for example blaming your boss. Try saying this: “F*ck them!” Say it. Ok, now that’s out of the way, try to move out of the place of blame as this only causes pain, regret and frustration. Instead, step back and look at the dilemma objectively. Start with yourself. Honestly ask yourself the questions:
- Did you really do everything you said you’d do?
- Did you voice your desire for promotion?
- Did you push it?
- Do you believe that you are ready to take the step up?
- Are you pushing personal development to aid growth?
- Are you implementing leadership behaviours?
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If your answers are no to any, then try having that open conversation with your boss and discuss areas of improvement and what can be done to achieve the promotion within an agreed time frame. If your answers are yes, then go to step two.
- Look at the company
Again, looking at this objectively, it may not be your boss as the company could not be promoting. If this is the case, discuss with your boss if there are any opportunities for promotion (there are always exceptions). If this isn’t the case then go to step three.
- Is there a relationship problem?
Now assuming you wasn’t competing for the role, perhaps there was a relationship problem between you two. Have you tried to improve your relationship? An honest conversation can help identify any issues so that you can work to resolve them. I’ve seen other people in the past have these conversation and then quickly go on to move up the ladder. However, if this isn’t the case or your boss isn’t willing then go to step four.
- Move on
Yes it’s frightening, in particular if this is your first company or you’ve been with them a long time. You may love the people that you work with, love the company, but unfortunately your boss is blocking your career path, then leaving could be the next best alternative. BIG BUT! Don’t just hand your notice in and leave because you’ll be out of a job with no income. Create an action plan as so:
- Start by brainstorm all the areas that you could move into. Be creative. For example, what industry, what role, what type of boss, what type of company, what are the company values, what is there history etc. This will start to get your mind to thinking openly to new opportunities.
- Create an action plan of how many jobs you will research and apply too within a time frame. Click here to read how to create the ultimate action plan.
Remember, the grass isn’t always greener so don’t just go for anything. If you’re serious then ask the right questions, put in consistency and commitment and the right job will come along. And, the higher you go the harder it will be to find a job. Don’t be disheartened, when the right one comes along, take it. It’ll be the best decision you made.
Thank you for reading, JT.
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How to reference this page
Toor, J. (2020). Leadership Dilemma Part Four My Boss won’t promote me? Available at: https://pmgrowth.co/leadership-dilemma-part-four:-my-boss-won’t-promote-me?