Why High Performers DON'T Get Promoted & What You Can Do About It

There are a number of reasons why high performers don't get promoted. If you're a high performer and you've failed to get promoted at work, in this video I reveal why you were overlooked for that promotion and what you can do about it.

Hard work won't always get you recognised for a promotion. Your boss wants to see other skills or competencies displayed so they can decide whether to promote you or not. This requires you to move outside of your normal duties or assigned tasks at work and position yourself differently. Sometimes it may be about demonstrating additional capabilities, other times it will be about reframing expectations your boss has of you.

It can be tricky to know where to start when you're a high performer and you're great at your job. But in this video, I break it down for you.

Timestamps:
00:00 Why high performers don't get promoted
00:47 Reason #1
02:16 Reason #2
03:35 What can you do to get promoted?
03:57 Be strategic
05:53 Reframe expectations
07:07 Find a sponsor
08:26 Assert your opinion
09:44 Ask for what you want

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[marknitz]

One of the unspoken challenges: your immediate superiors may be afraid that your skills as a leader will outshine theirs, which makes you a threat to their status.

[mercedeswilkins]

The only reward for hard work is more work

[baba]

As someone who is a high performer, I left the company because the company promoting people who is less qualified. When I submitted my resignation, they offer me more money to stay back but i simply give them the middle finger politely. That has to be one of the best day in a very long time

[sarahwalsh]

It's so true. Unfortunately, they don't realize that when the high performer feels overlooked and underappreciated, they leave. They're then stuck trying to fill your spot either way.

[MiguelNoyola]

As a high performer the best path was working for myself! Unlimited work and earning potential.

[dmoen]

Promotion is solely based on a popularity contest. It has nothing to do with skill set. The most incompetent workers are promoted.

[cgranny]

Best advice I ever got from an experienced professor in undergrad was ‘don’t glorify your company or boss, they’re humans being humans’. This mindset always allowed me to focus on myself and led to superior accomplishments, which spoke for themselves. It gave me leverage in my industry. This leverage kept my employers on their toes, and I was presented with offers. I didn’t have to beg anybody. My advice is focus on your self improvement always, stay disciplined, and don’t be afraid to change/leave. Leverage is the key to any negotiation. If you’re a strong worker, have leverage, and aren’t afraid to leave offers will always be at your doorstep.

[Onceuponatimejotaele]

My advice: life is too short so enjoy it while you still can. Work is not so important. Free time, health and life balance are factors you will regret not having had when you are dying.

[rjwidhalm]

The real slap in the face is when you're a high performer, there's an opening that you should get promoted to, and they make an external hire(s) instead.

[snowaIker]

Another reason I’ve learned over the years the “leaders” themselves do not want you because you are a direct threat to them if you are too competent.

[XSkimmilkmanX]

It’s not about working the hardest, but also how you brand and present yourself

[azmike]

I heard this decades ago--"The person promoted is not necessarily the most qualified. It's the person who APPEARS TO BE the most qualified." Good or bad, this is why you see self-promotion in the workplace.

[Syhk]

True, once you get to senior managerial level, its all about politics, fitting in, covering every senior staff's mistakes, and keeping the those who have power to stay in power.

If you don't adhere to these things, then no matter how skilled you are, you won't be promoted.

[oz]

I asked my manager numerous times over a year about how I could grow in my job, give me difficult stretch projects for visibility and leadership be completely out of my comfort zone. Finally he gave stretch projects, where I outperfomed each project. In my performance review he told me I was his highest performer. He would put me on a promotion list as a top candidate but first had to switch categories with another coworker who was an under performer. The verbal promotion consideration would be reviewed in 10 months after taking the new role, provided I suceed in managing the new category, and if their was still budget that I MIGHT get promoted... I applied internally for a different role/department that was an actual promotion+pay raise. Got the new job transfer within 2 months and handed my manager 2-weeks notice. Never, ever take anything verbal or for granted from your manager affecting your career unless there is a contract. Over time it makes people forgetful or even resentful on verbal commitments. It usually turns out like a demotion than a promotion.

[Youalreadyknowthis]

As someone who has worked in HR for years. Most of the time it’s about cliques, who kisses up and who you know will jump over hard workers every time . Basically poor leadership.

[Mr-S.C.]

Promotions for certain coworkers are usually planned well in advance by their bosses and there is zero chance of you getting a look in . Brown tonguing, nepotism, favouritism, sexual favours.. it all works for them.

[getinthespace]

A colleague just approached me at work. He is doing 90% of the billable work. Being suppressed from advancement.
I told him this exact thing. He needs to actively work to leave that group or leave the company. He will never be promoted by doing what he is doing. He will never be permitted to work outside that core focus.

[user]

High performers useally= a threat to someone higher up and or does not fit in with the current leadership(works too hard, and the team doesn't want to have to step up). I've seen it many times and heard it from friends. If you have more power then your boss, you'll never be promoted.

[mikeflair]

I started in a high technology corporate environment in 1977. I quickly learned it is not what you know, or not what you do. It is doing what you know, with WHO you know. Knowledge, ability and performance are just 1/2 of the equation, the 1/2 is corporate politics. PS - HR is on management's side, don't go to complain to them and believe something good will come out of it.

[michaelbenson]

Well, maybe true for some workplace but most of the time, promotion has absolutely nothing to do with your experiences and skill sets. If you're good at sucking up and playing dirty even though you're the worst worker, you can still be promoted. It all comes down to whether or not you are your boss' favorite.