Let another man praise you, and not your own mouth; a stranger, and not your own lips.
__Proverbs 27:2
My dear Virtually Perfect Grandchildren,
As your Nana prays regularly for you, we both desire for you to be the head and not the tail in whatever you do.
Today I want to discuss with you how to get a promotion. It is hard to believe, but you are rapidly advancing to the age where this advice will be needed.
So here goes…
Something that famed blues guitarist, Joe Bonamassa, said comes to mind. He stated: “I am not a guitarist, I am an entertainer.”
The truth is, Bonamassa is an amazing guitarist, but there are also many other amazing guitarist. What he understood is that if he hoped to make a good living he would have to do more than be an excellent musician.
People can avail themselves to great music anytime. But to be a great guitarist that people are willing to pay to see, now that takes a different mindset.
With so many choices out there in every field, passivity and timidity will get you nowhere.
All that to say, times have changed since Solomon wrote the proverb I included today.
In his day a person was born at a certain station (status) in life and you pretty much stayed at that level all your life unless you were noticed by someone higher up and they promoted you.
Today the rules of engagement are much different and requires the wisdom to walk the fine line between being a shameless self-promoter and having the courage to “put yourself out there.”
My advice on how to walk that fine line is as follows:
First do your job with excellence.
Like Bonamassa, whatever it is you do in life do it with excellence. There is nothing more despicable than someone who maneuvers themselves into positions of influence and prominence politically without having the skills and character to hold the position. They may be in the position but people don’t really respect them. Before asking for a promotion, earn it!
Side note: Don’t devote your life to an organization that is not a meritocracy! There will always be politics and people getting to the top who have not really earned it. But if you are not in an organization where people are regularly starting at the bottom and working their way up into upper management, leave! If most of the seats at the table do not have to be earned, flee. If you stay you are only setting yourself up for disappointment and mediocrity.
Second, make sure the gatekeepers of your dream know you and know what you have done and can do. You don’t have to be constantly bragging on social media, and to everyone around you, but you do have to let the right people know about you.
Remember, there are dozens of other people just as good as you (or better). You have to exert yourself, and not once, but consistently – usually over a long period of time. Good gatekeepers promote top producers that they know and like. It doesn’t matter how good you are if the right people don’t know it. Be sure your gatekeepers know and like you.
Also, there’s nothing like a face-to-face meeting with the gatekeepers in your life. Don’t be one of those people who are always blathering on about how great they are. But do be one of those people who has the courage to tell the right people about your capabilities and accomplishments.
At least once a year make an appointment and sit down face-to-face with the gatekeepers in your life and give them an update. Also, check in every once and a while. Stay on their radar.
And another thing: Tell them what you want. Don’t be afraid to ask. Ask for a promotion. Ask for a raise. Ask for what you need and want. Good leaders respect this and it will increase the chances that when the time comes for promotion and advancement, you will be on the short list.
And finally, ask your boss for advice on how to achieve what it is you desire. Clarity – both for the boss and you – really helps. And I have learned that when your boss gives you advice he/she begins to buy into you, for now their reputation is also on the line – especially if you heed their advice and give them updates.
Bottom line, don’t be a braggart who is always trumpeting your successes like spraying people down with a firehouse. But also, don’t be a timid wallflower who never exerts themselves and demonstrates confidence in themselves. It’s a fine line and requires wisdom but better to err on the side of being a bother than that person that no one ever bothers to notice.
After all, it’s hard to beat the old adage: The squeaky wheel gets the grease.
Just be sure to squeak to the right people.
Praying for your success in all the things that really matters,
Love,
Your very own Papa
“Lots of people have dreams. And many of them have strong feelings about them. But what separates the developer of a successful dream from a mere daydreamer is committed action.”
_John Maxwell, The Success Journey
Photo by Norbert Braun on Unsplash
The ONE THING 