Dear Sixth Level,
For the past seven years, I’ve served as Director of Marketing at an international manufacturing company, where I’ve consistently delivered strong results. My marketing campaigns routinely generate at least 25% increases in sales, and I maintain excellent relationships with colleagues across departments. My performance reviews reflect this success with consistently positive feedback.
Despite this track record, I’ve been passed over for every promotion opportunity that has arisen. When I’ve approached my supervisor to understand why, she offers only vague explanations that don’t provide actionable insights. I am feeling very frustrated. What should I do?
~ Willing and Waiting
Dear Willing and Waiting:
Congratulations on your strong performance! Your frustration about being passed over for promotions despite your excellent track record is completely understandable. Here are two strategic approaches from The Sixth Level that can help position you for future advancement:
Build Mutuality with Your Supervisor
Schedule a focused conversation with your supervisor to understand her perspective and priorities. Ask questions like:
- What is your vision for our department’s future?
- What challenges keep you up at night?
- How can I better support your goals?
Listen actively and demonstrate genuine interest in her success. Then, frame your own development within the context of advancing her vision rather than simply asking for feedback. This shows you are thinking strategically about the bigger picture, not just your individual advancement.
Mutuality creates a partnership dynamic where your growth becomes linked to your supervisor’s success, making her an advocate for your promotion rather than a gatekeeper.
Communicate Intrinsic Motivation
During your conversation, share what genuinely drives you beyond just career advancement. Connect your motivation to the company’s larger purpose. For example:
- “I’m energized by our mission to create safer products because…”
- “What excites me most about this work is…”
- “I want to lead because I see how engaged teams deliver better results for our customers…”
Leaders want to promote people who are committed to the organization’s success, not just their own careers. When you demonstrate that your motivation aligns with company values, you become a lower-risk investment for leadership roles.
These conversations shift you from being seen as someone who “deserves” a promotion to someone who is ready to drive results at the next level. Focus on being a strategic partner to your supervisor while authentically connecting your personal drive to organizational success.
~ The Sixth Level