Here are my 3 tips on how to deal with an ineffective manager when it comes to your promotion. Don't wait for your manager to drive your promotion—own it yourself.
Here are my 3 tips on how to deal with an ineffective manager when it comes to your promotion.
1. Manage Up: Take Control of the Process
Don't wait for your manager to drive your promotion—own it yourself.
Ask direct questions about the timeline, what supporting feedback or results they need to see, and what the process is like for the manager. If your manager is vague or noncommittal, set your own deadlines and follow up regularly. Frame it as making their life easier. Say something like, "Hey, I know you're busy, so I've outlined my key achievements and how they align with promotion criteria. Can we review this together next week?"
2. Build Your Senior Leadership Support Network
Your manager may not be your strongest advocate, but others can be. Identify senior leaders who value your work and meet with them regularly. Keep them informed of your impact so they naturally become champions for your promotion. The idea is that they eventually are in your manager's ear about your promotion readiness.
3. Be Strategic with your Visibility and Share Wins Beyond Your Manager
Make sure leadership knows about your results—without being spammy. Send concise, high-impact updates that align with company goals. This keeps you top-of-mind as a high-impact employee.
Remember, most managers will appreciate you being in the driver's seat... it's less work for them and they still look good when you get promoted.
Your promotion is your responsibility. The more you drive the process, the harder it is for leadership to overlook you!