Be Promotable Material
Be promotable. This is my advice — because I failed to be.
I worked hard, gave smart input, spoke up but others got the promotions.
Not because they were conformists. But because they were easy to work with.
Promotions don’t go to the loudest or the smartest. They go to the ones who make things smoother.
Here's how to become the person your manager wants to promote — and fight to keep.
1. Be Easy to Work With
We all know this one person you don't like in meetings. There could be many reasons. The person speaks too loud, starts discussions, or says nothing, complains about everything, has concerns, plays it safe, etc. Do you want to work with such a person? Definitely not.
Instead, be smooth and easy to work with. Be the go-to person. Be kind, be focused, and get the job done.
The goal is: Be the person everyone says: “They just get it done — no friction.”
What it looks like:
- You respond quickly and clearly — no chasing needed.
- You follow through without needing reminders.
- You adapt to others’ styles, not just your own.
- You bring solutions, not drama.
What it doesn't mean:
- Being a pushover.
- Saying yes to everything.
- Working overtime to fix others’ mistakes.
Easiness is one thing. Being liked another. Let's see.
2. Be Likeable, Not Just Smart
Now, you have become an execution machine. The work is getting done, and people can rely on you. This doesn't mean people like you. People can envy you and your success. Being likeable means you care about other people. Smart jerks get sidelined.
Tactics on how to be likeable:
- Say things like “You made a great point” in meetings. Uplift others.
- Ask: “How can I help?” more often than “Here’s what’s wrong.”
- Celebrate team wins, not just your own.
- Smile and have a nice and short chat.
People will trust you and enjoy your presence. That's the definition of being likeable.
3. Don’t Win Arguments. Win People.
This sounds so smooth, but we often hear: "Speak up in meetings". Or people are saying: "No brown-nosing". "I don't want to be a conformist." FAIR ENOUGH.
When people share an argument, they want to hear: "You're right."
Nobody cares who is right. The point is that you brought up the argument, concern, or thought. Job done. Period. Don't argue.
The best approach is always to ask questions.
The bottom line is how we communicate. Take a look at the table to see the small shifts that win people. Spot the judging element in the 'before' column. People are sensitive to judgements.
Language Shifts:
| ❌ Before | ✅ After |
|---|---|
| “I told them it wouldn't work.” | “We aligned on a different approach and it worked.” |
| “I had to correct him in the meeting.” | “I followed up 1:1 to align and move forward.” |
| “I proved my point with data.” | “I used the data to support the team’s direction.” |
| “They always misunderstand me.” | “How can I communicate it more clearly next time?” |
Keep in mind: Promotions don’t go to the person who’s right — they go to the person people want to work with.
4. Solve a Problem Your Boss Cares About
I recently talked to a Team Leader, let's call him Marc. It's March, most often the time of the performance reviews. Marc complained that the employees are very demanding. "I want this..." "You have to do this..." "I deserve that..."
Don't get me wrong. Even if this is all OK and they all deserve it, imagine how Marc is feeling. This is stress pur. Everyone sees themselves. But nobody sees the Leader.
Be also the easy-to-work-with regarding your boss. Solve a problem from your boss. This shows next-level thinking.
5. Own the Outcome, Not Just the Task
Promotions mean you go the next step. The next step is always getting bigger things. Whom do the managers trust with bigger things?
Managers want to rely on and trust you. They love to hear these two sentences:
"I'll take care of it."
or
"Consider it done."
Use them and watch how the managers relax. They think: "Wow, one problem less and hey, they got it." Here are some more examples and how to handle them:
| ❌ Before | ✅ After |
|---|---|
| “I did what I was assigned.” | “I went beyond the brief to make it successful.” |
| “Nobody told me it was urgent.” | “I flagged the risk early and fixed it.” |
| “That’s not my responsibility.” | “I picked it up to keep momentum.” |
6. Think One Level Above Your Role
Bigger things are always one level above your current role. Prepare your mind:
Stop thinking like a doer. Start thinking like a decision-maker. And you can be as successful as a person who has this position already:
"Both experimental and clinical psychology have proved beyond a shadow of a doubt that the human nervous system cannot tell the difference between an actual experience and an experience imagined vividly and in detail." Psycho-Cybernetics, Maxwell Maltz
The power is in your mind. Think yourself into the new position. Act like it!
Examples:
- Don’t just ask: “What should I do?” → Ask: “What outcome do we want?"
- Think: “If I were my boss, what would I need to decide here?”
- Don’t just share problems — propose options and trade-offs.
- Tie your work to cost, time, risk, or revenue.
These are the six tactics to become promotable material. Let's see the checklist:
Checklist: Are You Promotable Material?
✅ You’re easy to work with
✅ People enjoy collaborating with you
✅ You win people, not arguments
✅ You solve problems above your level
✅ You own results, not just tasks
✅ You think like your boss does
Summary
These are six simple steps to become promotable. The best is: You don't need anything except yourself. You can start right away. Be the person who makes things smoother, simpler, and smarter. Be promotable.