Latest news with #careeradvancement
Forbes
13 hours ago
- Business
- Forbes
Why Stellar Performance Reviews Aren't Getting You Promoted
You've been crushing your performance reviews for years, yet you're still stuck in the same role while teammates get promoted. If this sounds familiar, you're not alone. According to research from Textio, organizations recognize 5-15% of their employees as high performers on average. That leaves a large chunk of the workforce who are overperforming but still don't make the cut for a promotion. The issue is that performance reviews measure how well you execute your current job, not whether you're ready for the next level. This creates what experts term a "performance paradox"—the better you become at your current role, the more indispensable you appear in that position, which can actually limit career advancement opportunities. Stellar performance reviews, while necessary, aren't enough to climb the corporate ladder. Let's look at seven reasons why you might not be getting promoted and what you can do about it. The Issue: Your performance review measures how well you complete assigned tasks, meet deadlines and achieve predetermined goals. These metrics reflect your competence in your current role but say little about your potential to handle greater responsibilities or lead others. What to Do Instead: Start tracking and communicating metrics that demonstrate your strategic impact. Instead of reporting that you "completed all projects on time," quantify how your work contributed to broader business objectives. For example, "Led a process improvement initiative that reduced team workload by 20%, enabling the department to take on three additional client projects without increasing headcount." Focus on outcomes that show you're thinking beyond your job description. Document instances where you've identified problems before they escalated, proposed solutions that benefited multiple departments or influenced decisions outside your direct area of responsibility. The Issue: Your immediate manager may appreciate your work, but promotion decisions often involve multiple stakeholders who have limited visibility into your day-to-day contributions. Ultimately, promotion decisions are influenced by factors beyond direct supervisor recommendations, including peer feedback and visibility to senior leadership. What to Do Instead: Actively build relationships with influential stakeholders across the organization. Volunteer for cross-functional projects that put you in front of senior leaders. Share your expertise through internal presentations, thought leadership pieces or by mentoring colleagues in other departments. Create opportunities to showcase your work to a broader audience. When you achieve results, don't just report them to your manager. Find forums to share your insights with leadership teams, whether through formal presentations or informal conversations. The Issue: Performance reviews typically evaluate your individual contributions, but most promotions require you to influence, guide or manage others. Being an excellent individual contributor doesn't automatically translate to leadership effectiveness, and many organizations have learned this lesson the hard way. What to Do Instead: Seek opportunities to demonstrate leadership skills before you're officially promoted. Take initiative on team projects, mentor junior colleagues or volunteer to lead cross-departmental initiatives. Document specific examples of how you've influenced others, resolved workplace conflict, or guided teams through challenges. Focus on developing what researchers call "political intelligence"—the ability to navigate organizational dynamics, build coalitions and influence without formal authority. This skill set is often more predictive of promotion success than technical competence alone. The Issue: High performers often excel at following directions and meeting expectations, but promotion requires demonstrating that you can create value without explicit guidance. If you consistently wait for your manager to assign you stretch projects or development opportunities, you're signaling that you're not yet ready for increased responsibility. What to Do Instead: Identify problems or opportunities that align with business priorities and propose solutions. Don't wait for permission to improve processes, suggest new approaches or take on additional responsibilities that benefit the organization. Start acting like you already have the role you want. If you're seeking a management position, begin demonstrating management behaviors. If you want a strategic role, start thinking and communicating strategically. This approach helps decision-makers envision you in the new position. The Issue: Many star employees assume their work speaks for itself, but Carla Harris, Vice Chairman at Morgan Stanley, has a powerful saying: "You can't let your work speak for you; work doesn't speak." Your performance review might document what you've accomplished, but it likely doesn't capture the strategic value you bring to the organization or your potential for greater impact. What to Do Instead: Develop a straightforward narrative about your unique value proposition and career trajectory. Practice articulating not just what you've done but why it matters and how it positions you for greater responsibilities. Frame your accomplishments in terms of business impact rather than task completion. Make it clear that you're not just seeking recognition for past performance. You're actively preparing for and pursuing promotion opportunities. The Issue: Promotion decisions are rarely made in isolation. They involve complex considerations about team dynamics, company culture and interpersonal relationships. Decision-makers evaluate not just your individual performance but also how you'll fit into the broader organization. What to Do Instead: Invest deliberately in building relationships across the organization. This isn't about office politics in the negative sense. It's about understanding how work gets done, who influences key decisions and how you can contribute to collective success. Seek feedback from colleagues at different levels and in various departments. Their perspectives can reveal blind spots that don't surface in traditional performance reviews, helping you understand how others perceive your promotion potential. The Issue: The skills that made you successful in your current role may not be the same skills required for a promotion. Performance reviews typically focus on current competencies rather than future potential, creating a gap between what you're being evaluated on and what you need to develop for career advancement. What to Do Instead: Proactively identify the skills and experiences required for your target role and create a development plan to acquire them. This might involve seeking additional training, taking on stretch assignments or finding mentors who can guide your growth. Be honest about areas where you need development and take concrete steps to address them. Organizations are more likely to promote someone who demonstrates self-awareness and commitment to growth than someone who appears to believe they're already perfect for the next level. While positive performance reviews demonstrate that you can excel in your current role, career advancement requires proving that you can create value at the next level. The most successful professionals understand that getting promoted isn't a reward for past performance. It's an investment in future potential. By aligning your efforts with the factors that drive promotion decisions, you can transform your excellent performance reviews from a source of frustration into a launching pad for career advancement.
Yahoo
19 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
5 Ways To Use AI To Earn and Save an Extra $100,000 for Retirement
Artificial intelligence services keep getting smarter — and more flexible in taking over tasks for you. Learn More: Find Out: But can you entrust AI with your financial future? With your retirement nest egg? While AI can't do everything for you, it can certainly help. Try these ways to use AI to save an extra $100,000 for retirement. Budgeting comes in two parts: planning how to spend and then actually doing that day in and day out. Artificial intelligence can help you with both. You can ask an AI bot to think like a financial planner and create a budget tailored to your needs, goals, and priorities. Even better, you can then feed your past spending behavior into the bot to ask it to compare your actual spending to your ideal budget, to find where you're going astray. 'With AI tools making expense tracking less tedious and more efficient, consumers can better manage their finances, keep up with their expenses, and seal the leaks that drain their financial resources,' explains Aaron Razon, budgeting expert with CouponSnake. Want to advance your career and earn more? Learn how to competently use AI. At the simplest level it will make you a more qualified hire, as many roles will increasingly require workers to leverage AI. It can also boost your productivity, allowing you to get more done in less time. The uses don't end there however. Ask AI to help you brainstorm job and career ideas that you didn't know existed, but which fit your strengths and goals. Then ask it what steps you must take to make the career transition for the ones that jump out at you. Dustin W. Scout runs AI platform Magai and offers a simple example of a user running a side hustle with nothing but AI support. 'He creates bespoke AI art for corporate clients based on their interior design needs, personality, or interests. Once the client has settled on a piece, he enlarges the AI image to a printable resolution and has it printed on canvas and shipped to the client.' Or take Enes Karaboga, who created media site as a side hustle. 'A single content site can earn more than $100,000 in a few years with Google Ads and affiliate links. In the past, you needed a team to run such a business. I have my own army of AI writers, editors, designers and more. Each AI agent works for pennies. All you need to do is orchestrate the workflow, set the direction and make the key decisions.' Earn enough money with that AI-powered side hustle, and you can quit your day job. From there, you could work full-time on growing your business. Or you could automate much of the work with AI, and hire a human manager to oversee the rest of it. Then you can retire if you like — regardless of your age. Justin Ramos, CEO of AI-powered Compai, recently went through this exercise himself. 'I was deciding between Wealthfront's S&P 500 Direct Investing and their Direct Index Investing offerings, and I asked Claude to analyze the long-term implications of both options, focusing on diversification and tax advantages. 'While the S&P 500 option had lower fees (0.09% vs 0.25%), Claude's analysis showed that Direct Index Investing's ability to harvest tax losses from individual stocks could generate an additional 1-2% in annual tax savings. It demonstrated that on a $100,000 initial investment growing at 8% annually for 20 years, the standard S&P 500 approach would yield approximately $466,000. Alternatively, the Direct Index approach would yield about $581,000, leaving me with $115,000 in additional retirement savings.' Ultimately, you're responsible for your own financial decisions. But AI can help you make more informed decisions — and perhaps retire with an extra $100,000 or more in your nest egg. More From GOBankingRates Surprising Items People Are Stocking Up On Before Tariff Pains Hit: Is It Smart? 5 Types of Cars Retirees Should Stay Away From Buying This article originally appeared on 5 Ways To Use AI To Earn and Save an Extra $100,000 for Retirement
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
5 Ways To Use AI To Earn and Save an Extra $100,000 for Retirement
Artificial intelligence services keep getting smarter — and more flexible in taking over tasks for you. Learn More: Find Out: But can you entrust AI with your financial future? With your retirement nest egg? While AI can't do everything for you, it can certainly help. Try these ways to use AI to save an extra $100,000 for retirement. Budgeting comes in two parts: planning how to spend and then actually doing that day in and day out. Artificial intelligence can help you with both. You can ask an AI bot to think like a financial planner and create a budget tailored to your needs, goals, and priorities. Even better, you can then feed your past spending behavior into the bot to ask it to compare your actual spending to your ideal budget, to find where you're going astray. 'With AI tools making expense tracking less tedious and more efficient, consumers can better manage their finances, keep up with their expenses, and seal the leaks that drain their financial resources,' explains Aaron Razon, budgeting expert with CouponSnake. Want to advance your career and earn more? Learn how to competently use AI. At the simplest level it will make you a more qualified hire, as many roles will increasingly require workers to leverage AI. It can also boost your productivity, allowing you to get more done in less time. The uses don't end there however. Ask AI to help you brainstorm job and career ideas that you didn't know existed, but which fit your strengths and goals. Then ask it what steps you must take to make the career transition for the ones that jump out at you. Dustin W. Scout runs AI platform Magai and offers a simple example of a user running a side hustle with nothing but AI support. 'He creates bespoke AI art for corporate clients based on their interior design needs, personality, or interests. Once the client has settled on a piece, he enlarges the AI image to a printable resolution and has it printed on canvas and shipped to the client.' Or take Enes Karaboga, who created media site as a side hustle. 'A single content site can earn more than $100,000 in a few years with Google Ads and affiliate links. In the past, you needed a team to run such a business. I have my own army of AI writers, editors, designers and more. Each AI agent works for pennies. All you need to do is orchestrate the workflow, set the direction and make the key decisions.' Earn enough money with that AI-powered side hustle, and you can quit your day job. From there, you could work full-time on growing your business. Or you could automate much of the work with AI, and hire a human manager to oversee the rest of it. Then you can retire if you like — regardless of your age. Justin Ramos, CEO of AI-powered Compai, recently went through this exercise himself. 'I was deciding between Wealthfront's S&P 500 Direct Investing and their Direct Index Investing offerings, and I asked Claude to analyze the long-term implications of both options, focusing on diversification and tax advantages. 'While the S&P 500 option had lower fees (0.09% vs 0.25%), Claude's analysis showed that Direct Index Investing's ability to harvest tax losses from individual stocks could generate an additional 1-2% in annual tax savings. It demonstrated that on a $100,000 initial investment growing at 8% annually for 20 years, the standard S&P 500 approach would yield approximately $466,000. Alternatively, the Direct Index approach would yield about $581,000, leaving me with $115,000 in additional retirement savings.' Ultimately, you're responsible for your own financial decisions. But AI can help you make more informed decisions — and perhaps retire with an extra $100,000 or more in your nest egg. More From GOBankingRates Surprising Items People Are Stocking Up On Before Tariff Pains Hit: Is It Smart? The 10 Most Reliable SUVs of 2025 This article originally appeared on 5 Ways To Use AI To Earn and Save an Extra $100,000 for Retirement
Globe and Mail
3 days ago
- Business
- Globe and Mail
How to unleash the career superpower of curiosity
Interested in more careers-related content? Check out our new weekly Work Life newsletter. Sent every Monday afternoon. A junior analyst notices that a recurring report includes several metrics that no longer align with the team's current objectives. Instead of merely updating the report as instructed, he asks, 'Why are we still tracking these specific metrics?' This question prompts a discussion that leads to a more relevant and streamlined reporting process. A mid-level project manager is assigned to lead a project involving a department they're unfamiliar with. Rather than solely focusing on their project plan, she takes the initiative to learn about the department's workflows and challenges by asking, 'Can you walk me through your typical process?' This curiosity fosters better collaboration and uncovers opportunities for process improvements that benefit the entire organization. These are just two situations that occur in workplaces across the country every week, sometimes every day. In today's dynamic workplace, curiosity isn't just a trait – it is a strategic tool for career advancement. By actively cultivating curiosity, you can unlock new opportunities, drive innovation and position yourself for growth. Here are five practical strategies to harness curiosity effectively: Ask open-ended questions Curiosity starts with the right questions. Instead of yes/no prompts such as 'Is this working?', try asking, 'What's going well, and what's getting in the way?' or 'What haven't we considered yet?' These kinds of questions invite deeper insight and spark more meaningful conversation. Before your next meeting, prepare two open-ended questions to raise such as, 'What would success look like here?' or 'What led you to that approach?' In one-on-one conversations, try asking, 'What's been your biggest challenge this week?' or 'What's one thing you need from me?' A helpful habit is to pause before offering your own opinion and ask a clarifying question first. By consistently using open-ended questions, you show engagement, foster learning and open the door to innovation and problem-solving. Seek diverse perspectives One of the best ways to fuel curiosity is by actively seeking out viewpoints beyond your usual circle. Make a point of asking colleagues in different roles or departments for their insights, especially when you're tackling a problem or making a decision. You might ask, 'How does this affect your team?' or 'What's one thing you'd want us to know from your side?' Even an informal chat over coffee can reveal perspectives you hadn't considered. When working on a project, invite someone from another function to weigh in early. It could surface issues or opportunities you'd otherwise miss. By regularly tapping into diverse perspectives, you'll broaden your understanding, challenge your assumptions and build stronger, more collaborative relationships across your organization. Embrace lifelong learning Curiosity thrives when you make learning part of your routine, not just something you do when required. Look for small, practical ways to expand your knowledge, whether it's reading an article about industry trends, watching a short tutorial or asking a colleague to explain a tool you're unfamiliar with. You might say, 'I'd love to understand how you approach that, could you walk me through it?' or 'What resource would you recommend if I want to learn more about this?' Even 15 minutes a week set aside for learning can pay off. By showing a proactive approach to growth, you demonstrate adaptability and initiative – qualities that your leaders will notice and value when thinking about future opportunities. Reflect and adapt Curiosity isn't just about asking questions of others, it is also about examining your own work. After finishing a project or task, pause to reflect: What went well? What was challenging? What should I adjust next time? You can also ask others, 'What's one thing we could improve next time?' or 'Was anything unexpected for you in this process?' This habit of reflection and adaptation helps you avoid repeating mistakes and spot opportunities to improve. Over time, it sharpens your judgment, strengthens resilience and signals to others that you're proactive and committed to continuous growth – all qualities that can accelerate your career. Create a safe space for inquiry Curiosity flourishes in environments where questions are welcomed, not shut down. Whether you're leading a team or working alongside others, you can help create that space by modeling openness yourself. Try saying, 'That's a great question, let's look at it together,' or 'I hadn't thought of it that way; tell me more.' When someone raises an idea or concern, resist the urge to dismiss or rush past it. Instead, ask 'What makes you see it that way?' or 'How do you think we could explore this further?' Over time, encouraging this kind of dialogue builds trust, improves problem-solving and fosters a culture where innovation can take root. It makes you not just curious, but also a catalyst for growth. Curiosity is more than a nice-to-have – it's a professional superpower. It helps you navigate uncertainty, uncover fresh insights and adapt to change with confidence. By bringing curiosity to your daily work, you not only elevate your own growth but also inspire those around you to think bigger and bolder. Merge Gupta-Sunderji is a speaker, author, mentor to senior leaders and the chief executive officer of the leadership development consultancy Turning Managers Into Leaders.
Fast Company
24-05-2025
- Business
- Fast Company
3 questions you should ask if you want a promotion this year
The concept of advancement is baked into the way we think about work—almost like it's a video game. Just like you don't want to stay at a particular level of that game for too long, it sometimes doesn't feel like you're succeeding at work if your title doesn't change, and you don't get a significant raise. Getting a promotion isn't just a matter of wanting it or playing the game long enough. There are several factors at play—only some of which are under your control. First, the organization needs to have a position for you to move into. If there is no role for you to play, then there isn't much you can do to get promoted this year. Second, you have to decide whether the job you would be promoted into is one you really want. Third, you have to be ready for that new set of responsibilities. So, if you want to get promoted this year, you need to get information related to all three of those issues. Is there room for me? Before you get your hopes up for a promotion, you need to know whether there is a role for you. Early on in your career, the answer to that question is probably 'yes.' Often, the first few promotions reflect your ability to do your role with less oversight and to take on additional responsibility in your initial role.
