How to Position Yourself for Promotion: 7 Practical Steps

Being knocked back from promotion can be discouraging, especially when you know you are capable of doing the role. But capability on its own is not always enough. The question is whether decision-makers can see the evidence, confidence, judgement, and readiness they need to trust you at the next level.

This is not about becoming someone else or performing confidence in a way that feels inauthentic. It is about helping others understand the value you already bring, the level you are ready to operate at, and the contribution you want to make next.

If you are seeking promotion, these seven steps can help you prepare more intentionally, show your readiness more clearly, and make it easier for others to recognise your potential.

1       Demonstrate that you can perform at that level

You may be excellent in your current role and able to talk confidently about what you deliver. But promotion decisions are rarely based only on how well you are performing now. You also need to demonstrate that you understand the bigger picture, demands, relationships, judgement, and impact required at the next level.

Many people who are very good at what they do make the mistake of going into promotion interviews and demonstrating just that. They show how excellent they are at their current role but fail to demonstrate that they can perform at a more senior level.

Prepare yourself by ensuring that you are able to give examples that demonstrate the level of competency or the criteria that is required for the level sought, not the one you are currently doing.

2       What does good look like

Look for executives in your organisation who consistently get results in a way that aligns with your values. What do they do well? How do they influence others, make decisions, handle pressure, and build trust? What can you learn from their approach, and what would you adapt rather than copy?

What are their relationships like with their teams, with stakeholders and other people that they interact with? What behaviours do they display? How are the required competencies or criteria for the role evidenced in what they do? Positioning yourself doesn’t just require you taking action, it also requires you to be observant.

Whilst you will need to remain authentic and true to who you are, having role models that you can learn from will enable you to observe the kind of behaviours that make a good and effective senior leader.

3       Keep a record of your successes

It is easy to forget what you have done in the past that you can use to demonstrate your ability when applying for promotion. By keeping a written record of your successes, what you did, what the outcome was and the difference it made as and when they happen, makes it easier for you to jog your memory.

Keeping a record of your achievements is also an empowering and motivating reminder of how well you are doing that you can reflect on from time to time.

4       Get practical experience

Find ways to gain practical experience operating at the level you are aiming for.  Seize opportunities that arise for you to act temporarily at that level.

Consider job shadowing someone who is doing the role. Spend time with them observing and learning first hand, how they do the job. What are the challenges they face and how do they address them?  What stakeholders do they regularly engage with and how do they communicate with them?

Observe the skills they use that enable them to carry out their role effectively and note the difference between how those skills are utilised compared to the level of skill  required to do your role.

Not only will job shadowing give you a practical insight in to the role, you will also find out whether this is what you really want to do.

5       Get a mentor

Who is doing a role at that level that you can ask to be your mentor?

A mentor will help you to identify the gaps in your skills and experience and what you need to do to fill them. You can learn from their experience and how they overcame obstacles to get to where they are.

Getting advice and support from someone who has already walked the walk will help to make your senior leadership progression a smoother transition than if you did it on your own.

Be clear about what you want from the mentoring relationship and set yourself objectives so that you are effectively using both yours and your mentor’s time.

6       Get a sponsor

Sponsorship often grows out of trust, visibility, and relationships. People are more likely to advocate for you when they understand your strengths, see the quality of your work, and know the kind of opportunities you are seeking. Be intentional about building relationships with people who can speak about your contribution in rooms you are not in.

7       Believe in yourself

A lack of self-belief can stop people from putting themselves forward, speaking about their achievements, or showing up with the presence that promotion conversations often require. This is often the biggest obstacle I see amongst leaders wanting to go to the next level.

Confidence does not mean pretending to have no doubts. It means recognising your evidence, owning your contribution, and allowing others to see what you are capable of.

If self-doubt is getting in your way, pause and examine the story you are telling yourself. What evidence supports it? What evidence challenges it? What would you say to someone else with your experience, strengths, and achievements?

If this feels difficult to do on your own, working with a coach can help you challenge self-limiting beliefs, recognise your strengths more clearly, and take your next step with greater confidence. I would be happy to have a conversation to see if we are a fit. You can arrange this at the ‘Book an appointment’ link in my profile.

If promotion is one of your goals, what is one action you can take over the coming week to make your readiness more visible?