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Career & Leadership Real Talk

Ep 169 - Preparing for Promotion Conversations

Monday · 32 min · Episode 169 · 38.9 MB
0:00-32:25

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You're doing brilliant work, you know you could probably do your boss's job, and you're still waiting for someone to notice. Sound familiar? In this episode, we unpack why performing well and waiting for the tap on the shoulder rarely gets you promoted, and what to do instead.

We talk through the very British discomfort with "shouting about yourself," why recognition for your current role doesn't automatically translate into being seen as ready for the next one, and how to have promotion conversations that feel like advocacy rather than an ultimatum. We share a real client example of how raising the conversation months in advance completely changed the outcome, plus practical advice on timing, who to actually speak to, and how to reframe a knockback into a clear, strategic next move.

Key points from this episode

  • Why being a "reliable pair of hands" can quietly work against your chances of promotion
  • The very British instinct that's stopping you asking for what you want
  • Why your manager praising your work doesn't mean they see you at the next level
  • A real client story of how starting the conversation early changed everything
  • Who you should actually be having this conversation with (hint: it's not always who you think)

Timestamps

00:00 Introduction and why this topic matters

01:00 Why performing well isn't a promotion strategy

06:00 The British discomfort with self-promotion

09:00 Why being noticed doesn't mean being seen as ready

12:00 A client's story: raising the conversation months ahead

17:00 Why timing beats waiting for the annual appraisal

19:00 Choosing who to have the conversation with

21:00 Reminding people of your impact

29:00 Turning a "no" into a clear next move

Useful Links

Connect with Pam on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pamelalangan/

Connect with Jacqui on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacqui-jagger/

Follow the Catalyst Careers LinkedIn page for career tips and advice

Interested in working with us?

Get in touch about career or leadership development, outplacement workshops or recruitment support via the Catalyst Careers website