Why Performance Isn’t Enough to Get You Promoted

Une des transitions les plus silencieuses avec les promotions à des postes plus élevés est relationnelle .

Leadership often begins before a single word is spoken.

Two highly skilled professionals. Both vying for senior leadership. One rises quickly. The other lags behind. The Bold Strategist ensures key decision-makers see their contributions. The Silent Expert trusts hard work alone will get noticed. Both deliver results. But only one gets fast-tracked. Because workplace success isn’t just about talent—it’s about making sure your value is seen and understood. Why Self-Advocacy Matters Research proves it: • Employees who advocate for their impact are three times more likely to get promoted (LinkedIn Workplace Report, 2024). • Those who fail to communicate their value earn 13 percent less over their careers (Glassdoor, 2023). If your strategy is “I’ll let my work speak for itself”—your work is whispering in a room full of loud voices. How to Get Recognized Without Self-Promotion Many professionals resist self-advocacy, fearing it feels like bragging. It doesn’t have to. Shift from self-promotion to service . Instead of “I did this,” try “Here’s how this helped the team.” Frame success through impact . Instead of “I led this project,” say “This improved efficiency by 15 percent.” Let data speak for you . Hard numbers and results ensure visibility—without feeling performative. You don’t have to be the loudest in the room. Just make sure your impact is clear. The Leadership Blind Spot Most hiring and promotion processes reward visibility over raw competence. • Interviews favor articulation over execution. • Performance reviews focus on presence, not depth of work. Leaders must look beyond the loudest voices to recognize hidden top talent. Research shows employees who receive regular recognition are seven times more likely to stay with their company (Select Software Reviews, 2024). Leadership Action: Ensure you’re recognizing those who may not self-promote. Final Thought Talent matters. But talent that’s seen and understood moves ahead. Are you making your impact clear? And as a leader, are you ensuring no one gets overlooked? “True humility is not thinking less of yourself; it is thinking of yourself less.” – Rick Warren

Dans le monde professionnel d’aujourd’hui, les leaders font face à des environnements en constante évolution, marqués par des changements rapides et des incertitudes.  Diriger dans ces conditions exige des compétences qui vont au-delà des qualités traditionnelles, comme l’empathie.

Leadership development isn’t just a priority in 2025—it’s critical. According to Gartner, leadership and manager development will top HR leaders’ agendas. Yet, the path to building strong, inclusive, and prepared leadership pipelines is full of challenges. Imagine this: A high-potential employee gets promoted but struggles to lead effectively, causing team morale to drop. Or, a promising succession plan fails because it didn’t account for the unique strengths and needs of diverse team members. These are everyday realities for organizations, and they highlight the urgent need to get leadership development right. The Key Challenges HR and Learning and Development professionals face mounting pressure to: Stretch limited budgets while delivering measurable outcomes. Ensure leadership pipelines are diverse and representative of the workforce . Equip leaders with both technical expertise and emotional intelligence to navigate today’s complexities. Justify investments in leadership development programs with clear ROI. Find solutions that resonate with a workforce growing more diverse in experiences, expectations, and values. The truth is, these challenges are solvable—with the right strategies.