Early in my career, I made a huge mistake. I thought if I worked hard and hit all my deadlines, my manager would naturally recognize my efforts and drive my career forward. Promotions, salary bumps, new opportunities—they’d all come, right?
Wrong. 🚫
After waiting (and waiting… and waiting) for someone else to advocate for me, I realized I was approaching promotions all wrong. The truth is, no one will fight harder for your career growth than YOU. It's your responsibility to show your value, take ownership of your path, and create opportunities for yourself.
Here are the five biggest lessons I’ve learned about driving my career and earning my promotions.
1. You Own Your Career Path
It sounds obvious, but many professionals (my younger self included) mistakenly assume that their manager or team lead is responsible for charting their career progression. The truth? Nope. That’s all on you. Your growth, development, and career path are in your hands. While managers can provide guidance, feedback, and opportunities, it’s ultimately up to you to set goals, seek out learning experiences, and take the steps needed to advance.
That’s not to say that some managers don’t genuinely want to see you succeed—they absolutely do. But keep in mind, most managers are juggling their own set of responsibilities, goals, and ambitions. They may be focused on hitting deadlines, managing team performance, or achieving personal career milestones. As a result, even the most well-intentioned managers may not always have the time, resources, or bandwidth to give your career growth the dedicated attention it deserves. This is why it’s crucial to take ownership of your own development. By being proactive and self-driven, you’ll be able to move forward regardless of the level of support you receive.
Think of your career as a long-term project. You’re the project manager. Success depends on setting goals, creating a roadmap, and consistently reviewing your progress. Want to move upward in your career? Ask yourself questions like:
- What roles interest me in the next 2 or 5 years?
- What skills do I need to develop to land those roles?
- Who can help me achieve these goals?
The moment you adopt a proactive mindset, you start taking control of your trajectory. Don’t wait for someone to hand you a blueprint. Draft one for yourself and take the lead.
2. Document Your Wins Religiously
People love a good story, and your career is no different—it’s up to you to craft a compelling narrative. That narrative begins with documentation. Every single achievement, no matter how small, deserves a record.
Implemented a new software feature? Write it down. Resolved a high-stakes bug right before launch? Document it. Improved a process that saved your team time or reduced costs? Log it.
Why is this important? When promotion discussions happen (or interview panels for a new job roll around), you’ll have concrete examples to prove your value:
- Outline the problem you solved.
- Highlight your actions.
- Summarize the results (bonus points for measurable outcomes like percentage improvement or dollars saved).
Your wins demonstrate your growth and impact. They’re your ultimate receipts. And when you bring them up in conversations, your contributions go from "implied" to undeniable.
3. Seek Out High-Impact Projects
Here’s a truth bomb I wish someone had dropped on me earlier in my career: the work you do matters, but where you focus your energy matters even more. High-impact projects are your ticket to visibility and leadership opportunities.
What makes a project high-impact?
- It solves a major pain point for your team or company.
- It affects a large number of people.
- It drives measurable results, like saving time, generating revenue, or improving efficiency.
Don’t wait for these projects to come to you—volunteer for them. Offer to tackle that backlog no one wants to touch, spearhead a cross-functional initiative, or run an experiment that aligns with your company’s top priorities.
Pro tip: High-impact projects also showcase your ability to handle bigger responsibilities, making it easier for decision-makers to envision you in advanced roles.
Relevant Aside: While high-impact projects often take center stage, it’s important to recognize that in large companies, not all initiatives need to yield direct, measurable results to be valuable. A prime example of this lies in projects like redesigning or rewriting applications. These efforts, while not always critical in terms of immediate business outcomes, often become what’s colloquially known as “promo projects.” They give employees the opportunity to showcase their technical abilities, lead teams, or experiment with modern frameworks and tools — all of which can serve as stepping stones in career advancement.
The reality is, sometimes you have to play the game—it's about visibility and shaping the narrative. While redesigns or rewrites may not always yield clear, measurable ROI compared to maintenance or incremental updates, they capture attention. Being involved in these high-profile projects can position you as a forward-thinker, someone driving innovation or tackling significant challenges, even if the actual impact is more subtle. The key is finding a balance: embrace these promotional opportunities while also delivering meaningful, substantive work. This ensures you're recognized as a team player who contributes to both the company’s goals and your personal growth.
4. Build Relationships Across Teams
We’ve all heard the saying, “It’s not what you know, but who you know.” While skills and performance are crucial, relationships can play a big role in career growth.
Building relationships isn’t about networking in the stereotypical sense (no one likes forced LinkedIn messages). It’s about creating genuine connections with colleagues, managers, and leaders—within and beyond your immediate team.
Why does this matter?
- Advocates and allies: People who see your potential can vouch for you during promotion or hiring discussions.
- Opportunities: Opportunities often come from unexpected places, like collaborations or referrals from someone in another department.
- Broader perspective: Understanding the challenges and goals of other teams enhances your ability to make a bigger impact in your role.
- Promotion support during panels: Building relationships across teams can be crucial when promotion panels or reviews occur. Colleagues and leaders from other areas of the organization who know your work and value your contributions can provide key insights and endorsements. Their voices may carry significant weight in highlighting your impact, helping decision-makers see the broader scope of your achievements.
Start simple. Attend cross-team meetings, schedule a coffee chat with someone who inspires you, or offer to help another department with your unique skillset. Relationships are the bridge between where you are and where you want to go.
5. Ask for Regular Feedback
Here’s something I didn’t realize early enough: Feedback isn’t criticism; it’s guidance. Regular feedback from managers and peers can help you refine your skills, avoid blind spots, and identify areas to improve before they become obstacles.
Don’t wait for your annual performance review to ask, “How am I doing?” Instead, actively seek feedback throughout the year:
- After delivering a major project or presentation, ask what went well and what could have been improved.
- During 1-on-1 meetings, invite input on your performance and discuss how you can position yourself for growth.
- Reach out to trusted colleagues for peer feedback on how you collaborate and contribute.
Remember, feedback is a dialogue, not a one-way street. Use it as a tool to learn, adapt, and grow continuously. Your willingness to evolve demonstrates maturity and leadership potential.
Bonus: Know Your Value and Advocate for Fair Compensation
Understanding your worth in the market is just as vital as pursuing career growth. Your skills, expertise, and contributions have tangible value, and recognizing this is the first step toward advocating for yourself. Research industry standards, salaries within your field, and the pay scales for your role to arm yourself with the knowledge needed to have open and constructive conversations about compensation.
While these discussions can feel daunting, they are necessary. Approach them with confidence and professionalism, outlining the impact you've made and why it merits fair recompense. Remember, advocating for your worth is not selfish—it's about ensuring a balanced exchange for your work and dedication. We’re not working for free, and compensation is a key part of feeling valued and respected in your role. Just as you seek opportunities to grow, seek the compensation that reflects that growth. These conversations are an investment in yourself and your future.
Don’t Wait—Own Your Narrative
Here’s the truth no one (except maybe your most honest mentor) tells you: Career growth isn’t just about being good at what you do. It’s about showing your value, proving your contributions, and taking ownership of your narrative.
- Advocate for yourself.
- Showcase your skills and initiative.
- Build relationships that bolster your career.
- Seek opportunities to learn, improve, and grow.
Your next promotion? It’s not a milestone in someone else’s timeline. It’s your achievement to claim. The moment you decide to take control of your career, you level up—a mindset, a skill, a role at a time.
Start now. Decide what’s next for you, map your path, and show the world what you’re capable of.
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