If you can’t be replaced how can you get promoted

#sharebestpractices #humility #trustyourleaders #javi #bles #bom #sr #chet

#ONETeam #SNAPS #SageandNotableAdvisesfromPatrickSalazar

Every now and then, some of my leaders will come up to me and ask me about how can they get promoted FAST. I would remind them about the leadership development program -- various training, on-the-job immersion, mentorship, how these support the promotion policy, and other details about how they can be consistent about their performance and potential.

Sometimes, one or two would tell me I should promote her/him soon and these are the usual 3 things they tell me:

a. s/he is consistently the very best versus the her/his peers

b. s/he has consistently helped her/his direct manager as the best mentee

c. s/he has all the competencies to get promoted in the next level role.

I usually respond saying..

Thank you and I am happy you are consistently the very best in your current role. Can you describe to me how you shared best practices to 2 of your peers and how you helped improve their performance.

Your direct supervisor is encouraged to have at least 2 mentees. Describe to me how you collaborate with the other mentee and 2 instances when you supported the idea of the other mentee. Why was it better than yours.

Can you tell me about 2 of your weaknesses and how you reached out to another person to help you improve it. Please describe the learning journey you had with the 2 folks who mentored you. Please give an example aside from your direct supervisor.

Oh! Aside from telling me any of those 3 topics, a rare few will tell me I need to promote them because they got an offer from another company and that because they are the best in their current role, I should promote them.

My response is “I am very happy for you and wish you the very best in your next endeavor”.

*About the photo

These 5 super humans are some of the most amazing & charismatic leaders in the galaxy!

Day-in and Day-out they pour all their energies to ensure each and every member of their Team is successful. There is no ifs and no buts… they share all their secret sauces (including the kitchen) just to ensure their fellow Associates both from their Department and from ALL the Other Departments too are successful so they can perform the greatest work of their lives!

What is so heartfelt is that each one of them…. every single one of them… told me that they are only doing their job and that there are several others who are better than them for the promotion. I am humbled to have the privilege to promote each one of them when we used to work together.

(I salute & miss you guys!)