Matt Episcopo’s Post

I frequently see people congratulating others on promotions, new positions, and recognition with, “well deserved.” Although I appreciate the intent, I believe what people really mean is, “well earned.” We don’t deserve anything, especially professionally. Probably true in all aspects of life too, but I’m going to focus on professionally. Congratulating someone with “well deserved” implies somehow they became worthy of their new state. In fact deserving means - worthy of being treated in a particular way, typically of being given assistance. Given the definition of deserving, I don’t think this is what most people actually mean with their acknowledgment of the the other person’s accomplishment. My concern with the congratulations being communicated as “well deserved” is we’re developing a misguided societal view of what it takes to accomplish things professionally and in life. There isn’t a magical day of crossing the threshold to a state of worthiness. Another key aspect of the definition is “being treated in a particular way.” I recognize people of different levels of authority and accomplishment get treated differently than others not at the same levels. As a company owner, I get treated differently than our team members, by my partners, by clients, and by vendors. My hope would be that we aren’t treating people as worthy or deserving based on title, a promotion, or some award. Especially professionally, we should be acknowledging the time, focus, energy, and expertise applied that produced the outcome. I believe “well deserved” sends a message, specifically to young people, that says at some point in your professional life you will be deserving of recognition. Of course this isn’t true, but I’m concerned the narrative is already in place around “well deserved.” So the next time you are congratulating someone for a professional accomplishment or recognition, I encourage you to pass along “well earned” and see if it doesn’t strike a more appropriate sentiment than “well deserved."

When is the right time for promotion? "I want promotion. Now." That was my attitude when I thought I had done enough to prove myself. You don't have to guess twice what response I got: ↳ "You get it when there is a place." There was no open chair I could fill in. Unfair. But common in many teams. I waited for another six months and got what I wanted. One out, one in. Otherwise, everyone would be seniors, managers, or directors. The other classic response I also gave to my team members when they wanted promotions was: ↳ "You get it when you're ready." Some were not ready yet. They needed to collect more experience to be independent. However, "when you're ready" is often used as an excuse. I worked with people who struggled with that. They seemed never ready for their bosses. Fun thing? Not everyone had the same opinion. Some quit and found the job they wanted but in a different company. Learnings? Your career depends on you. Sometimes, you can wait. Other times, you must move on to grow. 1886 leaders read this morning about the right time for promotion. Do so, too: https://lnkd.in/e-T2WnA7

News of former colleagues receiving much deserved promotions recently along with news of peers starting new roles is the kind of positive news that I'm sure we all wish to see more often.   Seeing as to how we are in March, which is typically when performance reviews take place; this is your chance to ask for that promotion.   If you've ever wondered how to go about doing that, I lay out some steps and learnings, when I went through that process at my previous role.   I also attached the deck I used to present my case to my manager at the time.   Points to note: - I had a great mentor and manager who listened and saw value in what I did - That same manager gave me the framework for how to structure my presentation - Without him and the Good Lord on my side, I would not have gotten that promotion - The names, compensation figures and deck are all scrubbed down so you can repurpose for your use   Framework: - Always have a visual aide to make your case - Start with giving a brief overview of your skills to date - Show how you measure up to the core competencies set by your organization - Show how you are committed the organization by highlighting areas you'd like to move or grow into - Lastly comes the ask; go reasonably high because the employer will always negotiate for less   Final Word: - Whether you get this promotion that you deserve or not - Whether you are given a chance to stay at the organization after getting that promotion - Whether you decide that it's time for you to move on as you no longer see yourself at this place or not   What matters is you tried and can do so again in the future!   Happy Growth!

Promotion announcement season is getting closer, and so is the anxiety-inducing waiting period. I have been here so many times in my 16+ year career. I recall knowing I had put in the work, but even with all the assurance in the world, I was still not sure I had done enough to secure the green light. Because we all know (or at least should know) that getting promoted isn't about being the hardest worker, and you can miss out on a promotion by a hairline 'I'm not sure she is ready' at the decision table 👀👀👀 Every day leading up to announcements, I had to survive the horrible feeling of being in a black hole waiting for that email to come through. But after 10+ years of managerial experience, I experienced and also managed enough promotion processes to help you read the tea leaves on this. Here are some clear signs that you’re closer to that promotion than you think: 1. 𝗬𝗼𝘂’𝗿𝗲 𝗧𝗮𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝗻 𝗕𝗶𝗴𝗴𝗲𝗿 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗲𝘀: If your managers are giving you bigger, more complex tasks or projects that go beyond your current role, it’s because they see you as ready to step up. Increased responsibilities are often a clear sign that leadership is testing your capacity to perform and handle the pressures of the next level. 2. 𝗬𝗼𝘂’𝗿𝗲 𝗜𝗻𝗰𝗹𝘂𝗱𝗲𝗱 𝗶𝗻 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗰 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀: If you are being invited to higher-level discussions, that's a signal that you’re seen as someone who can contribute to the big picture and your input is seen as vital to the team’s success. 3. 𝗬𝗼𝘂’𝗿𝗲 𝗚𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗻 𝗠𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗼𝗻𝗼𝗺𝘆: If your managers are giving you more freedom to make decisions, it’s because they trust your judgment. This level of trust is a huge indicator that you’re seen as someone who can take charge without needing constant oversight. 4. 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗠𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗔𝗿𝗲 𝗧𝗮𝗹𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗔𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗚𝗿𝗼𝘄𝘁𝗵: When your manager talks to you about your career path and long-term growth within the company, take it as a strong indicator that they’re preparing you for a bigger role. This isn’t just talk—they’re mapping out your promotion. 5. 𝗬𝗼𝘂’𝗿𝗲 𝗚𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗣𝗿𝗮𝗶𝘀𝗲: When your managers take the time to praise your work, it’s not just lip service. Praise, especially when it’s consistent, is a signal that the higher-ups value your contributions and are positioning you for the next big step. 𝗠𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗧𝗶𝗽: All this said, the most important thing is that you must NEVER STOP COMMUNICATING with your manager and key decision-makers on the promotion process and what else you need to do to be successful. The tea leaves may be predictive, but what is better than assumption? CONFIRMATION. The increased responsibilities, praise, and trust are not accidents. If you weren’t ready, they wouldn’t be preparing you. Stop doubting yourself, focus on delivering your best work, and embrace the fact that your time is NOW.

Feeling overlooked at work? You're not alone, try this: Many skilled professionals just like you feel stuck. Repeatedly passed over for promotion opportunities. It's frustrating when you put in the work. But don't see progress. You know you have more to offer - But how do you get the recognition you deserve? Use my guide to get promoted, and fast. Some quick facts: 12% feel positive people get promoted more 54% of employees require significant re- and upskilling 85% of managers feel unique ideas lead to promotions Your next promotion isn't just about what you've done. It's about how you've done it and who knows about it.

𝐀𝐫𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐞𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐠𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐝𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐞...? 👀 💭 Have you received a promotion recently? If so, congratulations! It's always 𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐟𝐲𝐢𝐧𝐠 to see your hard work recognised. 𝐈𝐟 𝐧𝐨𝐭, it might be time to consider a few 𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐟𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐬... 💥 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐧𝐲 𝐄𝐧𝐯𝐢𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭: Is your current company providing an environment that promotes career advancement? Sometimes, organisational limitations can impede your progress. 🤝 𝐂𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐫 𝐏𝐚𝐭𝐡: Does your company offer a well-defined career path? A lack of clear progression can be a significant barrier to professional growth. 🏆𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐫 𝐏𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐬: For companies, having a structured career path is crucial to attracting and retaining top talent. Employees need to see a future within the organisation and understand the steps required to achieve their career goals. 𝐌𝐨𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝: Whether you're looking for new opportunities or striving for growth in your current role, make sure your career path aligns with your aspirations. Ensure you have the support needed to reach your goals. Reach out to me if you want to have a casual and confidential conversation discussing the opportunities here 😊

Know Your Value If you’ve been laid-off, passed over for a promotion, not selected for the role, having a rough day/week/month ... or fill in the blank, none of this changes your worth. There’s only one you and your inherent value doesn’t go up/down. When you’re recognized – appreciate it, when selected – celebrate it and cherish the wins! But remember – it’s not a replacement for your internal foundation. While it is good to be acknowledged – don’t rely on it for validation. If your contributions routinely go unrecognized discern if it is an opportunity to grow or time to go. These situations are invitations to reflect, speak up, and look for patterns, themes, and blind spots. Remember - redirection is not rejection.   #knowyourvalue #careercoach #redirectionisnotrejection #careerinsights #yougotthis

"Don't wait until you get promoted to show your best; your best will get you promoted." my favorite Working for a promotion can often lead to a narrow focus on short-term gains, but working to discipline yourself yields lasting benefits that extend beyond any job title. Discipline fosters consistency, resilience, and a strong work ethic, qualities that naturally lead to success in various aspects of life. By prioritizing self-discipline, you cultivate the ability to set and achieve personal and professional goals, manage your time effectively, and maintain high standards in everything you do. This intrinsic motivation to excel and improve becomes evident to those around you, making you a more reliable and valued team member. Ultimately, disciplined individuals often find that promotions and other recognitions follow naturally as a result of their unwavering commitment to personal growth and excellence.

You know it; we know it; even your colleagues know it: You deserve to get a promotion. But does your boss know it? Sometimes, it seems as if you just don’t cut it at work despite your best efforts. It’s like your supervisor knows you go above and beyond, but they pass you up for promotions. It’s time to take charge of the situation and make it impossible to be missed any longer. It’s time for a promotion! Read more >> https://lnkd.in/guKARbjx