Most office environments have a culture of performance evaluation. You’re usually evaluated against your coworkers, so you end up being ranked either bottom bucket, middle bucket or top bucket.
If you’re okay being anything other than top bucket then you should stop reading this blog now and go to LinkedIn because you need to find a new job. You should be in a place that makes you want to be the best. And assuming you’re there, this post will clearly explain how to succeed.
Top bucket performers receive the earliest promotions and the largest bonuses. And there’s literally only ONE THING you need to do to become a top performer and earn a promotion.
But I can’t tell you that quickly can I?
Let me first explain the three types of people in the workforce:
- There are interns.
- There are employees.
- There are executives.
These three levels of individuals are classified that way because it allows for stratification. It enables hierarchy on organizational charts, expected norms for salaries, as well as social and cultural expectations within the company.
A healthy org chart looks like a Christmas tree, where people at the top manage few key individuals, upper and middle management have more direct reports, and then towards the bottom junior people manage only a person or two if at all.
But in startups, the org chart often looks like a menorah instead, where almost everyone reports into one senior leader. This is inefficient and unhealthy.
Until certain people stand out from the pack it’s usually how things go. The way to stand out is to become a top bucket performer.
So how do you stand out and excel beyond your title and experience?
Earning a Promotion Isn’t About Doing Your Job Well, It’s About Doing Your Boss’ Job Well
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Years ago I heard a simple explanation of the difference between interns, employees and executives.
At the start of an intern’s week they’ll say, “What 10 things should I be doing?”
At the start of an employee’s week they’ll say, “Give me 10 things to do so I can complete those tasks successfully and efficiently.”
At the start of an executive’s week they’ll say, “I’ve taken a look at the company, and I have 10 suggestions for how we can improve in areas X, Y and Z and a step-by-step action plan to execute each solution.”
Notice the difference?
Top bucket people think and speak the language of an executive. They preemptively identify problems and opportunities for improvement, and then come to others only when they have a finite set of solutions they believe can plug those holes.
That’s not because they’re qualified to do so, but because they understand the golden rule of organizational hierarchy. “Your job is to make your boss’ job easier.”
Assuming you work in a positive culture that fosters people’s growth, doing your boss’ job well will enable them to work on a higher level issue and pass along their responsibilities (and TITLE!) to you.
If you point out five problems to your boss, you’ve just created more work for him or her. If you don’t point out those five problems to your boss, you’ve allowed them to fail. It’s only when you both can identify problems others can’t see and then bring them a solution to the problem before they even knew it existed that you become a gamechanger. That’s when you become top bucket.
The sooner you understand that the sooner you will become a superstar
Now it’s your turn.
Go make an “executive-level” move in your own workplace this week. Identify and solve a problem for someone who didn’t even realize that issue existed, and let me know how it goes.
Please share whether you agree or disagree with this post in the comments below, as well as any tips you might have for others on how to earn their next promotion!
jason
Howdy! I could have sworn I’ve been to your blog before but after browsing through a few of the articles
I realized it’s new to me. Nonetheless, I’m definitely pleased I
found it and I’ll be bookmarking it and checking back regularly!
Michelle @ Modern Acupuncture
Agree in that you must be able to demonstrate that you can handle the next level of responsibility. I also think that volunteering for projects that no one else wants (because of their difficulty) is a good way to show your boss that you’re not afraid of a challenge and that you’re willing to work harder than the average person in your office.
Adam
So, so true.
Sonia
I agree to the extent that this will work in the right company, at the right time. Not sure that the culture of the company has anything to do with it though. Many have done this in big or small companies, and in doing so, simply get more work added on to their plate rather than receive the title and/or pay that goes along with it. At other times, you get the accolades and still get passed over simply because of preference, or how that other employee has positioned themselves with the boss. Not all the time does it work in your favour and given the economy, many can’t afford to just get up and leave. Great article though and some good tips.
Anne
Good points You clarified for me some of the ideas I was wondering about & trying to think though.
Anne Lombardi
Agree. It almost sounds easy to accomplish the way you describe the process. I imagine it’s a learned skill. How does one handle all the distractors, competition or one organizational piece in the process being out of place or dysfunctional? Many employees are looked over or not even noticed at times simply due to the employer deciding they want A instead of B., for example. I’m not sure you can toss it back to linkdin so quickly and say look for another job. Not sure if our economy fully supports this.
Adam
Valid points Anne, but I still stand behind the fact that (if you’re working in a positive work environment and the right type of culture) the single best thing you can do to advance is not take on the tasks of your current level but instead the tasks of someone one level above you. This isn’t applicable for all jobs across the economy, but for those in high growth industries I believe it’s true.
Anne
True. One of the first very simple things i learned was to dress for the position above you or the job you want. Confidence is key. In the most productive environments, i think what you’re saying is true.
Adam
Huge insight there Anne, that’s something I write about experiencing firsthand in my book. http://amzn.to/1z7ZLRb
Delia
It’s a plaeusre to find someone who can think so clearly
Mike
Even if you have only *one* suggestion to improve some facet of your business and an action plan to achieve a solution, you will be doing yourself, your manager, and your organization a huge service. It will be a win-win-win situation.
Adam
Agreed! Thanks for the comment Mike.
Adam
100% agreed Mike. Quality over quantity in that regard.