How to Become the Person Everyone Wants to Promote (Even if You’re Not a ‘Favourite’)
It’s easy to assume that promotions are reserved for the “favourites” in the office—the ones with the best connections, the most visible personalities, or the loudest voices in meetings. But the truth is, anyone can rise to the top and earn the promotion they deserve, even if they’re not the first choice for every team or project.
It’s about demonstrating value, consistency, and the right attitude, regardless of your standing in the social hierarchy. Here’s how you can position yourself as the go-to person for a promotion, even if you’re not the obvious pick.
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Deliver Consistently and Overdeliver on Expectations
It’s easy to assume that once you’ve met the minimum requirements, your job is done. However, consistently delivering results, and going above and beyond what’s asked of you, will set you apart. The best candidates for promotion are those who can be relied upon to handle their workload with accuracy and efficiency, but who also take the initiative to do more.
What to Do Differently: Rather than just meeting the baseline requirements of your role, aim to exceed them. Take on projects that no one else wants, solve problems that aren’t part of your job description, and make sure that your work is always top-notch. Be the person others turn to when a project needs attention—show you’re reliable, proactive, and capable of handling more responsibility.
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Develop and Demonstrate Leadership Skills
You don’t need to be a manager or in a formal leadership position to demonstrate leadership potential. The best candidates for promotion show that they have the ability to lead, even if they aren’t managing a team. Leadership is about taking responsibility, making decisions, and inspiring others, regardless of your title.
What to Do Differently: Volunteer for projects, mentor colleagues, and always approach challenges with a solutions-focused mindset. Show that you can lead by example and support others in achieving their goals. Take responsibility for the success or failure of your projects and learn from your mistakes. People notice those who take initiative, without waiting for someone to tell them what to do.
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Be a Problem Solver, Not Just a Task Doer
Managers are looking for individuals who can handle the technical aspects of their job but also contribute to solving larger organizational challenges. If you’re the person who identifies issues and brings solutions to the table, rather than just executing tasks, you’ll quickly earn a reputation as someone who can take on more.
What to Do Differently: When you encounter obstacles or challenges, don’t just bring them up to your manager without offering potential solutions. This shows initiative, critical thinking, and the ability to look at the bigger picture. Becoming the person who finds solutions, rather than just identifying problems, will make you indispensable.
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Cultivate Emotional Intelligence (EQ)
The ability to manage your emotions, understand others, and build strong working relationships is crucial for professional advancement. High emotional intelligence can often make the difference between being a good employee and being the person others want to promote. People with high EQ tend to handle pressure well, resolve conflicts efficiently, and maintain positive relationships with peers and superiors.
What to Do Differently: Practice self-awareness and empathy. Pay attention to how you interact with others and make sure you’re fostering an inclusive, respectful environment. Be calm under pressure, and always treat others with respect, no matter their position or opinion. Strong interpersonal skills will help you build networks and earn the trust of those who have the power to promote you.
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Build a Reputation for Accountability
If something goes wrong, do you own up to it, or do you shift the blame? The most promotable people are those who take responsibility for both their successes and their mistakes. Being accountable for your work, actions, and even your shortcomings demonstrates maturity and trustworthiness, both key qualities for anyone seeking a promotion.
What to Do Differently: When mistakes happen, don’t shy away from taking responsibility. Acknowledge your errors, learn from them, and propose ways to prevent similar issues in the future. Holding yourself accountable shows that you’re not just reactive but also proactive in improving your work and the outcomes of your team.
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Stay Visible—Without Being Overbearing
You don’t need to be the loudest voice in the room, but you do need to make sure that your work and contributions are noticed. The person who gets promoted isn’t always the one with the strongest opinions or the most charisma—it’s often the one who consistently adds value in ways that are visible and recognized by others.
What to Do Differently: Find ways to ensure that your accomplishments are noticed by your supervisors, but without bragging or making it obvious. Share your results in a professional way, whether through regular check-ins or presentations. Don’t wait for others to give you credit—make sure you’re recognized for your contributions. And don’t be afraid to step into the spotlight when you’ve achieved something worthwhile.
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Seek Feedback and Act on It
Top performers are always looking for ways to improve. They seek constructive criticism, listen to feedback, and use it to grow. Seeking feedback shows that you care about doing your best, and it also allows you to address areas where you may need improvement before it becomes an issue.
What to Do Differently: Regularly ask for feedback from your manager and peers, especially after completing key tasks or projects. Don’t just ask for feedback—act on it. Show that you value the insights provided and are actively working to improve. This continuous growth mindset will make you stand out when promotion decisions are made.
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Have a Strong Professional Network
While it’s not about playing favourites, having a strong network of advocates within the company can certainly help your case. Those who have taken the time to build relationships with key players in the company often have someone in their corner when it comes time for promotions.
What to Do Differently: Build and nurture relationships with key people across the organisation, from peers to managers to senior leaders. You don’t need to be best friends with everyone, but taking the time to network and help others will ensure that you have support when promotion decisions are being made.
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Be Ready for More Responsibility
When the opportunity for a promotion arises, it’s important to show that you’re ready for the increased responsibility. This doesn’t mean just saying you’re ready—it means proving that you can handle more by stepping up when the time comes.
What to Do Differently: When the opportunity arises to take on more responsibility—whether it’s a challenging project, a leadership opportunity, or a tough client—take it. Prove that you can handle the next step and demonstrate that you’re capable of managing more. Showing that you can manage additional responsibilities with success will prove to your manager that you’re promotion-ready.
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Stay Focused on Your Own Growth, Not Office Politics
It can be easy to get caught up in office politics, gossip, or trying to please the favourites, but the best candidates for promotion focus on their own growth, skills, and contributions. They don’t worry about who’s in favour—they just do their job exceptionally well.
What to Do Differently: Avoid getting involved in office politics. Keep your focus on your performance and personal growth. Continue to build your skills, take on new challenges, and keep looking for ways to improve. Stay humble and stay focused on your work, and let the results speak for themselves.
You don’t have to be the office favourite or the loudest person in the room to get promoted. By consistently demonstrating value, developing leadership qualities, and focusing on your own growth, you can become the person everyone wants to promote. The key is to focus on what you can control: your performance, attitude, and relationships. With time, your efforts will speak for themselves, and the promotion you want will follow.