28-05-2025
Stuck In Your Current Role? How To Grow Your Career Without A Promotion
Stuck In Your Current Role? How To Grow Your Career Without A Promotion
How does a high performer continue to grow in their career when the company values them in the role they are currently in instead of training for a promotion? – Project Manager, Creative Agency
Sometimes you can be too good to promote. You're too valuable in the role you do, and it's better for the company to keep you there. Or your manager doesn't want the hassle of having to replace you. Or your company is relatively flat, and there aren't bigger jobs to give you.
Or maybe this project manager isn't as high performing as they think they are. Or their manager has been lobbying to promote them, but isn't influential enough to advance you. Or the company isn't doing well enough financially to afford your promotion.
As you can see, there are multiple reasons why a promotion doesn't get through, so confirm why you are hearing No. Check out the company financials and recent promotion and hiring history to see if they're spending money on people, and if so, what roles. Have a candid conversation with your manager about your promotion worthiness specifically, not just how you're doing. Your performance reviews are about how you're doing in your current job, not necessarily your career potential. Take a long, hard look at the support you have from your manager, your skip-level manager (manager's manager) and other senior leaders – do you have the right people advocating for you.
One popular reason for wanting a promotion is to grow your responsibilities and opportunities. However, you can DIY your own leadership development. Use previous performance reviews for ideas on what skills you need to learn, what qualities you need to develop and what experience you need. Check out your company's tuition reimbursement benefits and what classes you can take to fill gaps. Work with your manager on restructuring your role for stretch assignments. Look for opportunities to add emerging trends, such as AI, to your day-to-day.
Another reason for wanting a promotion is the chance to manage people or budget. You can grow your career without being a manager. Manage a part of a project, if not the whole thing. Ask your manager if you can take something off their to do list – they'll be grateful, and you'll get exposure to part of their world. Volunteer for something that gives you hands-on management experience. For example, join a nonprofit board, lead a committee in your professional association or offer to organize an event or fundraiser in your community.
Making more money is a top reason for wanting a promotion, but moving up isn't the only way to increase your income. Grow a side business – it will flex different skills than your day job and bring in extra money. Review your investments to see how you can improve returns on the money you save – e.g., consider rental real estate, look for higher yielding bank accounts.
A small mindset shift from asking for a promotion to negotiating your promotion can remind you that this is a back-and-forth dialogue, not a one-time request. Prepare to negotiate by confirming what you want (e.g., title, raise, profit-sharing, which responsibilities, what resources), preemptively thinking about what your manager, their manager and other decision-makers might argue, and creatively thinking about a win-win for both sides. Schedule a separate meeting dedicated to your promotion discussion. Ask again, even if you initially hear No, and prepare to overcome objections.
