The easiest way to get to the next level is to begin to do things that only fits people in that level. Let me tell you a true story that buttresses this. I had a mentee who graduated with a good grade, a university degree. But he couldn’t get a good job so he took up the role of an official driver to a team of sales people who he felt he could do better than. My advice to him was quite simple; don’t compete. Don’t dress or act like just a driver, give more value than an average drive will do. It was just a matter of time; there was an opening for a role in that organization, even above that of sales. And everyone was quick to recommend him. The MD approved because he had also been watching him impressively. He didn’t just ask for his next position, he demonstrated it! That’s what we all should do. Promotion should be a demonstration of your next position.
In the words of the former American president, Theodore Roosevelt, “Whenever you are asked if you can do a job, tell ’em, “Certainly, I can!” Then get busy and find out how to do it.” That’s how promotion happens. A major part of promotion is in Kaizen, continuous improvement around your knowledge, skill, ability and attitude fit for that next position. It’s about knowing your purpose even if where you are contradicts its. It’s in recalibrating your scale and readjusting your sail to your intended destination with what you have by where you are. To outline these steps, it’s first about building up your self to the desired abilities fit for the job. And then leading yourself through it. After that, you then lead others. Life abilities comes in different levels starting from being capable, then working well with capable people then making others capable. Generally, there are 5 Levels.
Level 1 – this refer to a Highly Capable Individual. He makes contribution through talent, Knowledge, skills and habits. He is fit for the role he/she applied for. But note that nobody is promoted for the role they are currently paid to do. But from demonstrating that they have abilities beyond what they are paid being for. As a matter of fact that beyond their cognitive intelligence, they have more capabilities and social skill to also work well with others, even if its their beyond roles. Which brings us to the second level.
Level 2 – this refers to a Contributing Team Member. As you start up your career, its really about competence. But to grow up that ladder, it requires more about attitude, personality, sponsorship and referral from someone up there. You need to have special skills to attract people like that to bring you in first. And then pull you up to level 5 if you show even more abilities t not just manage your work but that of others.
Level 3. This refers to a Competent Manager. He organizes people as resources towards the effective and efficient pursuit of predetermined objectives.
Level 4: this is an Effective Leader: he catalyzes commitment to the pursuit of clear and compelling vision.
Level 5: Let’s call a person in this stage, the executive: he builds enduring greatness through a paradoxical blend of personal humility and professional will. He builds a sustainable firm by duplicating more of his greatness through others.
But climbing this ladder has to be intentional. Though anyone can fall off a ladder by accident, no one climbs a ladder by accident. To be able to climb the ladder is to follow these steps. I usually like to call, it the 7Ps. Its about finding your (P)urpose, try to(P)ackage it, then create a (P)roduct from it. After that, find a (P)latform, to (P)erform, then perform (P)erfectly on this platform till you begin to attract the (P)eople that will promote you.
The blunt fact is that not everyone will succeed, not everyone can make it for lack of “knowledge”, the mentality and the network. And in making it, some will be victors and others will be victims. The difference between the victors and the victims is nothing but the thought patterns, our reactions to situations, processes, influences and the people we have.
Understanding the principles behind promotion is key. If you don’t you’d perhaps watch people who are less deserving that you get promoted and the most you’d do is to conclude that life isn’t fair. Yes, it isn’t. Whether or not you think life or your organization’s way of stirring promotion is shitty, always remember the words of – John Imhoff, “Any organization is like a septic tank. The really big chunks rise to the top.”
