Who Gets Promoted, Who Doesn’t, and Why by Markell R. Steele

Book Review: Who Gets Promoted, Who Doesn’t, and Why: 10 Things You’d Better Do If You Want To Get Ahead
by Donald Asher

Do you wonder how some people get promoted while you stay stuck? You get good performance reviews and seem to be well-liked, but, no matter how hard you work, you can’t break into the next level? In his book, Who Gets Promoted, Who Doesn’t, and Why: 10 Things You’d Better Do If You Want To Get Ahead, Donald Asher exposes the real reasons some people get promoted while others don’t. It’s not about working hard. It’s about having clear career goals, a realistic view of your capabilities, positioning and relationships among other things.

Throughout the book, Mr. Asher explains the many factors that contribute to career success and promotion such as the importance of lifelong learning, skill building and personal development; the importance of having a clear plan for advancement; the importance of aligning with the influential people and more. He also discusses the role luck plays in all of this.

Mr. Asher starts off by explaining how people actually get promoted and why. He gives the reader insight into how the promotion decisions are made and why the seemingly “best” candidate continues to be passed over for promotion. It often boils down to money. For various reasons, it’s cheaper to keep you in the position than it is to promote you, then replace you. If you find yourself in that dilemma his suggestions will help you overcome that obstacle.

He goes on to explain how to get noticed by the right people at the right time. No matter how great you are at your job, if enough of the right people don’t know about it, you will never advance. He also explains the value of qualities outside of job function. While technical competence is important so, too, are communication skills, relationship management skills, willingness to learn, being a team-player and whatever else is valued in your company.

Mr. Asher uses a collection of stories to illustrate how to navigate the work environment to maximize your chances for advancement. He discusses how to create opportunities for oneself even if the company is downsizing and restructuring. He discusses how to get visibility among the ranks and where it counts. He discusses how to manage those who report to you, your peers and those you report to (directly and indirectly). He also discusses how to gain influence in a matrixed organization where reporting lines are not always clear. He discusses how to spot pending change and position yourself for new opportunities.

As is often the case, people who aspire to advance up the corporate ranks will be faced with several important decisions along the way, especially with regard to relocation and it’s financial and family impacts. They will often have to ask themselves, “Is now the right time to seek a promotion?” “Will I have to relocate and how often?” “How will this promotion impact my wife/husband’s career?” “How will a promotion impact me financially?” “What will be the impact on my children?”

Aspiring to attain a high level position is really a lifestyle choice. It’s an on-going, full-time pursuit. Your friends will be colleagues. You’ll “grow up” together in your careers. The line between work and personal becomes very fuzzy. Some people are fine with that, while others are not. But, it’s important to be realistic about what that aspiration will mean for you personally. This book is for high-achievers who envision themselves in a corporate career.

If that’s you, this book will provide you with clear steps to take to achieve your career goals.

Available Formats: book, 168pp.

Markell R. Steele is the owner of Futures in Motion, Inc. and author of Fast Track Your Career: Three Steps for Finding Work You Love. For the past 12 years, she has passionately shared her secrets for career happiness and success. Her company provides career assessments and career transition assistance. More articles can be found here- http://futures-in-motion.com/article_archive.php