Bypassed For Promotion? Here's Why.

Bypassed For Promotion? Here's Why.

Hi Everyone!

It’s almost the end of the year – how is your Career Health?

And if you have had (or are going into) a performance review discussion, did you get any useful feedback that you could work on for 2025?

I have a couple of thoughts around those that have been bypassed for promotion repeatedly and/or are finding it difficult to break an intangible glass ceiling.

Some of these are valid – it could be due to limited experience or insufficient qualifications. Sometimes it’s the competitive environment or the economy.

But sometimes, it’s a personal blindspot of career-limiting behaviours.

In this newsletter, I’d like for us to do a self-assessment on our 2024 experience.  


1. Being Too Humble

I’ve met people who are too modest and humble, always thinking they are “not good enough.”They shy away from taking credit they duly deserve only to see it stolen from them by an ambitious colleague.

Learn how to be proud of the results of your hard work, and don't be shy to 'crow' about it!

2. Being too good at your job.

Another reason you might not be getting that promotion or growth is that the company values you too much in your current role.

You are, ironically, a victim of your own success.

After all, if they promote you to a bigger role, who's going to replace you in your current role and perform as well as you have been doing?

The way to counter this paradox is to start developing others to take over some tasks and responsibilities, and express interest in taking on stretch projects.

And because context matters, your situation could be very unique, so do reach out to me for ideas on how you can maneuver internally (or externally).

3. Not being 'Up-to-Date' on your Skills

I hear a lot of reasons (or excuses?) from executives who claim they have no time for their professional development.

If you haven’t attended any training for over a year, start soon!

These courses, trainings or conferences might seem like they take away productive hours that you could use to get real work done. BUT the updated content, visibility, contacts, and conversations provide you so much more in developing your career in your field, so do make time and let the work fit around it.

Put yourself first. The work will always be there.

I recommend researching courses or conferences that you can attend in 2025, and start planning (and request for budget!)


Don’t worry if you have not had any career progress recently. Speak to us on how you can plant the seeds for future growth. Info@careeragility.org

 Here’s to you Career Success!

Do you have a pressing career question? Come talk to us! Drop us an email at Info@CareerAgility.org today!

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