The promotion playbook: Skills, strategy, and self-advocacy

When it comes to earning a promotion, skills are the foundation of success—but they’re not the whole story. While building the right capabilities is crucial, knowing how to position yourself and communicate your value is just as important. From years of HR experience and coaching, I’ve learned that skill-building and strategic self-advocacy go hand in hand.

Here’s how to combine the two for career advancement, along with pitfalls to avoid.

Step 1: Identify and Close Skill Gaps

Before advocating for a promotion, take an honest look at your current skill set. Promotions aren’t just about what you’ve already accomplished—they’re about what you can contribute at the next level.

• Ask for feedback: Start with your manager. Ask, “What skills do I need to develop to be ready for the next role?”
• Get specific: For example, if leadership is a requirement, look for opportunities to manage projects or mentor others. If strategic thinking is a gap, ask to join cross-functional initiatives.
• Seek resources: Consider classes, mentorships, or internal programs like emerging leaders or skill-building workshops to gain experience in these areas.

Once you’ve identified what’s missing, actively work to close those gaps—and keep your manager updated on your progress.

Step 2: Build Your Business Case

Skills alone won’t get you a promotion. You also need to clearly articulate how your growth and contributions have positively impacted the business.

• Highlight measurable outcomes: Show how you’ve saved time, reduced costs, increased revenue, or driven results.
• Tie your skills to business value: For example, explain how improving your project management skills led to faster project delivery, or how your leadership contributed to team success.
• Focus on the future: Explain how your promotion will benefit the company and your manager—such as taking responsibilities off their plate or improving team performance.
  

Step 3: Advocate for Yourself

Many employees assume their hard work will speak for itself, but that’s rarely the case. Managers are busy, and they’re not always aware of your goals or accomplishments.

• Be direct: Instead of hinting, say, “I’d like to position myself for a promotion. Can we discuss what it would take to get there?”
• Create a feedback loop: Check in regularly to show progress and ask for additional guidance. For example, “Last month, we talked about improving my leadership skills. Here’s what I’ve done so far—how am I doing?”
  

Step 4: Broaden Your Network

Promotion decisions often involve multiple stakeholders, not just your manager. To position yourself for success, build relationships across the organization.

• Collaborate beyond your team: Volunteer for cross-departmental projects to showcase your skills to a wider audience.
• Make yourself known: Ensure others can speak to your contributions when discussions about promotions happen.
  

Step 5: Avoid Common Pitfalls

Here’s what not to do when positioning yourself for a promotion:

• Don’t assume your manager knows your goals: If you haven’t explicitly said you’re interested in a promotion, they might think you’re happy where you are.
• Don’t rely on past successes: Focus on how your current skills and future potential align with the role you want.
• Don’t wait until promotion time: Start conversations months in advance to give yourself time to demonstrate growth.
  

Step 6: Keep Growing

Promotions aren’t just about reaching the next level—they’re about continuous development. Even if you hear “not yet” when you ask, use the opportunity to learn and grow.

• Get actionable feedback: Ask, “What specific skills or achievements would help me move forward?”
• Seek opportunities: Look for projects, mentorships, or leadership roles that align with the skills you need.
• Stay persistent: Check in regularly and demonstrate your commitment to improvement.

Final Thoughts

Earning a promotion isn’t just about working hard—it’s about building the right skills, advocating for yourself, and demonstrating how you can add value at the next level.

Remember: skills open the door, but strategy gets you through it. Start today by identifying your gaps, communicating your goals, and taking steps to grow.

If you’d like to read more, here are the links to my books:

Why Can’t You Communicate Like Me? How Smart Women Get Results at Work
Help! My Company Swiped Left 
Increase Your Income: 7 Rules for Women Who Want To Make More Money at Work 
 A Salary Cinderella Story (Or How To Make Money Without A Fairy Godmother)