What do you do if your peers are outshining you and hindering your chances of promotion?

Celebrate their achievement, and assess yourself and your true skillsets. Perhaps you will realize that you aren't putting in your true effort, if so, start working, easy fix. If you are doing the best you can and putting in extra effort, and feeling like you cannot compete, maybe you are right. I was in a program prior to the Dot Com crash with brilliant 'tech minds' - I soon realized that I wasn't that. However, I uncovered my brilliance in identifying the 'market/business application' for their products and services, and learning this led me to where I am today. Enjoy the journey! - wes@patersonconsulting.ca

Time to do a self evaluation. What am I doing that's working? Do more of it. What am I doing that is not working? Stop doing it. Think of ways to improve what is working if that is possible. In my company collaboration and information sharing is a key value we all share. I would have coffee or lunch with a top producer and ask what they are doing to achieve their results. I did this recently and received feedback on one area I was neglecting to find new clients. This opened up a new strategy to improve my results.

Determine your differentiators. What unique skills, perspective or experience makes you special? Instead of worrying about the attention and accolades others are receiving, find opportunities to add value, no matter how small. Be a team player, listen, observe and always keep learning. Ask questions. Pick the brains of the people who are passing you and learn from them rather than resenting them. The way to get promoted is to be worth promoting and that's entirely in your hands.

If your peers are outshining you and obstructing your promotion opportunities, self-assessment is key. Reflect objectively on your strengths and areas needing improvement. Pinpoint specific areas where skill enhancement is needed. Seek feedback from mentors or supervisors for valuable insights. Develop a plan to address shortcomings and demonstrate readiness for advancement.

Think about how you're doing at work and what you can do better. Ask your boss or coworkers for feedback on how you can improve. Show off what makes you different from others and use your strengths to stand out. Get along well with your coworkers and work together to achieve goals. Make sure your boss and other important people know about your achievements. Keep them updated on your progress and successes.

The first step in receiving feedback is being open to feedback. A good mentor will provide constructive criticism, but not everyone is prepared to hear and digest it.

Acknowledging the need for feedback and guidance is a crucial step toward professional growth. Engaging with your supervisor or a trusted mentor can provide valuable insights into your strengths and areas for improvement. In the dynamic field of IT consulting, technical skills alone are not always sufficient; soft skills like communication and teamwork play a pivotal role. By actively seeking feedback and addressing any shortcomings, you can enhance your overall effectiveness and perception within the company.

Don’t wait for formal performance evaluations; ask for regular feedback from supervisors and peers. This shows your commitment to continuous improvement and personal growth. When requesting that feedback, be specific about the areas you want to improve. This helps you get actionable advice rather than just general comments.

Boosting your visibility within the company is key to advancing your career in IT consulting. Actively seek out opportunities to demonstrate your skills and commitment by volunteering for impactful projects or committees. Share your achievements and insights with colleagues and management, and consider showcasing your expertise through presentations or written contributions. By increasing your presence and highlighting your contributions, you can position yourself as a valuable asset within the organization, increasing your chances of advancement.

Here are some useful tips I have employed in my consulting career: - Volunteer for New Projects - Speak Up in Meetings - Document Your Achievements (I keep a list of all accomplished projects and assigned throughout the year) - Network Internally: Build relationships with colleagues in different departments - Promote Team Success

Networking plays a vital role in advancing your career in IT consulting. Take the initiative to build relationships with colleagues across various departments and management levels. Be proactive in offering assistance and seeking opportunities for collaboration. Horizontal networking, in addition to vertical connections, can be highly beneficial. Cultivating a broad network of contacts increases the likelihood of gaining advocates who can champion your promotion. By investing in relationships and expanding your professional network, you pave the way for future career growth and opportunities.

Consider building a small network of respected peers (your tribe, so to speak), even those in different industries. Meet regularly with them (weekly or monthly) to foster a healthy place to share ideas and grow.

Networking isn’t just for office parties or professional meetings. I try to engage with colleagues on a regular basis. Participate in company-wide initiatives, attend social events, and join committees or groups that align with your professional interests.

Focusing on your unique value can significantly enhance your visibility and chances for promotion, even when your peers seem to be outshining you. For example, you might have a knack for client relations or a specialized skill in a niche area that others lack. Capitalize on these strengths by volunteering for projects where these skills are crucial. In my experience, it’s beneficial to communicate your achievements and the distinct benefits you bring to your team and projects regularly. I’ve found it helpful to request feedback from supervisors on how to further develop and leverage my unique skills. A common mistake is to compete on the same fronts as everyone else.

Show initiative by proposing new ideas or approaches that leverage your unique strengths. Innovation not only highlights your value but also benefits your team and organization. I once used my (moderate) Python programming skills to facilitate the data collection and analysis for a client report. It really helped the team meet our deadline and produce results that could not have been achieved by other means.

Avoid a scarcity mindset. Just because others are being promoted doesn't necessarily mean there aren't any opportunites for you. Adopt an abundance mindset.

Well, if you are falling behind, there is something you are not doing well enough. Self-assessment, benchmarking, defining the missing points is crucial. Maybe your area of expertise is covered by most of your peers, and you might look for expanding your horizon. Or maybe you have become outdated on the information you have, so you should update yourself with the trends and all things new. An IT Consultant must ALWAYS be up to date with their industry. Also, depending on the culture, there is no shame in asking for help from your peers; find out what they do better than you do, learn and make progress. Even try to do one better than the way they do, walk the extra mile. You may skip the promotion once but be much better the next time.