Hard work won't get you promoted.
And your boss won't tell you why.
You do everything right:
Meet deadlines.
Fix problems.
Step up when no one else does.
But the promotion goes to someone else - again.
Because you're playing by the wrong rules.
I learned these after being passed over a few times, so you don't have to.
7 secrets to promotions your boss won't tell you:
1. Your work needs to be visible
↳ Great work isn't enough if no one sees it
↳ Document achievements and quantify your impact
2. Demonstrate leadership potential
↳ Future potential matters, not just your past performance
↳ Take initiative, solve problems, support others
3. Align with your manager's goals
↳ Focus on what matters most to the business
↳ Understand priorities and quantify your contributions
4. Plan your succession
↳ Make the team successful without you
↳ Mentor others, document processes, and build autonomy
5. Soft skills make or break promotions
↳ Technical skills get work done, soft skills advance careers
↳ Build emotional intelligence, communication, and resilience
6. Network within the company
↳ Promotions often come through relationships
↳ Create genuine relationships with decision-makers
7. Drive innovation and change
↳ Leaders who create change get noticed
↳ Spot trends, solve problems, and inspire growth
You deserve more than waiting and hoping.
Make these rules work for you.