Summary of Art Of Manliness Podcast Episode: The Ultimate Guide to Promotion | Randy Ornstein on The Art of Manliness (#899)
Podcast: Art Of Manliness
12 min. read
— Description —
Discover the benefits of staying loyal to a company and building a long-term career Learn how to add value in meetings and improve communication skills Find out strategies to save time and increase revenue within a company
Plus, get tips on discussing advancement with your mentor and boss.
The Ultimate Guide to Promotion | Randy Ornstein on The Art of Manliness (#899)
Table of contents
Key Takeaways
Key Books Mentioned
Intro
Promotions: More than Just Salary Increases
Long-Term Benefits of Sticking with a Company
Increasing Chances of Getting a Promotion
Strategies for Efficient Email, Phone, and Slack Management
The Power of Study and Knowing Your Numbers
Developing Best Practices for Your Company
Get Better at Asking for Things
The Role of Mentors in Helping Secure Promotions
Timing of Bringing up the Idea of a Promotion
The Biggest Challenges After Getting the Promotion
Key Takeaways
- Promotions often come with a substantial raise, typically in the range of 10%, 15%, or even 20%, compared to the annual raise of 2% to 4%
-
Randy Ornstein disagrees with the idea of frequently switching employers for higher salaries
- He emphasizes the importance of loyalty and building a long-term career within a single company
- Staying with a company for a longer duration allows individuals to accumulate equity and stock options, providing long-term financial benefits
-
Speaking up and actively participating in meetings is crucial to add value:
- Pay attention, listen actively, and engage with the speaker
- Ask questions, give comments, and provide feedback to improve discussions
- Demonstrate that you are present, adding value, and contributing to the team
- Managers take note of those who consistently contribute versus those who remain silent
-
Strategies to improve your communication:
- Stay on top of your messages, including emails, phone calls, Slack, and texts
- Consider scheduling dedicated time in your day or every few days to focus on responding to communications
- When responding to emails, provide more depth and context rather than just a simple “thanks.”
- Structure your emails with bullet points to make them more concise and easier to read
-
The best practice is something that saves time, and money or increases revenue within a company
- Employees should constantly think of ways to make their job better, easier, and smarter to drive results
-
Weekly touchpoints with your boss help discuss ongoing projects and tasks
- Articulate the reasons why you need specific resources, highlighting the benefits and return on investment (ROI) they would bring
- When choosing a mentor, prioritize someone with whom you have a good relationship and who values the mentorship partnership
-
Gauge your progress and have discussions about advancement every one to two months
- If you’ve been in a role for two to three years without signs of promotion, it’s crucial to have open and vocal discussions about your career progression
Key Books Mentioned
-
Grow: The Essential Guide to Getting Promoted by Randy Ornstein
- Are you feeling stuck in your current job, longing for a promotion, and seeking that extra edge to push your career forward?
- Randy wrote the book based on his experience of being promoted nine times, including seven promotions at Anheuser-Busch within 15 years
Intro
- Meet Randy Ornstein (@RandyOrnstein), author of “Grow: The Essential Guide to Getting Promoted,” who is here to help you navigate your career path and achieve the promotion you want
- In this episode, Randy discusses the advantages of promotions over raises and shares valuable insights on why staying with the same company can be beneficial in the long run. He delves into the essential steps you need to take to become a standout employee, from active participation in meetings and effective communication to studying your work and establishing best practices
- Host- Brett McKay (@artofmanliness)
Promotions: More than Just Salary Increases
- Promotions often come with a substantial raise, typically in the range of 10%, 15%, or even 20%, compared to the annual raise of 2% to 4%
- Getting a promotion allows individuals to reach a higher level in the company, resulting in a quicker increase in salary compared to relying on annual raises
- Moving up one level through a promotion can provide the same value that would take several years to achieve with raises alone
- Promotions also offer additional perks such as bigger bonuses and more equity in the company, further increasing financial rewards
-
With promotions come new responsibilities, potentially including managing people
- This allows individuals to broaden their skill set and gain experience in different aspects of the business, moving beyond their current niche
-
Promotions may entail more hours and increased responsibility
- However, the overall value lies in the expanded knowledge, skill development, and potential career advancement they offer
Long-Term Benefits of Sticking with a Company
-
Randy disagrees with the idea of frequently switching employers for higher salaries
- He emphasizes the importance of loyalty and building a long-term career within a single company
- Constantly changing companies prevent individuals from gaining in-depth knowledge and understanding of their current company, hindering their ability to be successful
- Hiring managers often prioritize loyalty when evaluating candidates, and individuals who have a history of frequently switching jobs may be seen as less desirable
- Staying with a company for a longer duration allows individuals to accumulate equity and stock options, providing long-term financial benefits
- Randy emphasizes that not everyone gets laid off, and strong performers with good relationships within a company have a lower risk of layoffs
- If an individual believes in the company and sees potential for career growth, it is advisable to stick it out rather than constantly switching employers
- Building a successful career and understanding a company’s operations often takes five to ten years, similar to how it takes time to establish a system and achieve results in sports teams
-
In business, it takes time to build and train a team, establish systems, and see the desired outcomes
- Quick reactions and frequent job changes are not a recipe for success
Increasing Chances of Getting a Promotion
-
Speaking up and actively participating in meetings is crucial to add value:
- Pay attention, listen actively, and engage with the speaker
- Ask questions, give comments, and provide feedback to improve discussions
- Demonstrate that you are present, adding value, and contributing to the team
- Managers take note of those who consistently contribute versus those who remain silent
-
Strategies to actively participate:
- Even if unable to speak during a Zoom call, use the chat function to ask questions
- Take notes during the meeting and follow up with the organizer afterward
- In in-person meetings, raise your hand and speak up confidently
-
Speaking up should provide value, not just fill the air space
- Don’t agree for the sake of agreement; provide thoughtful input
- Constructive disagreement and offering better solutions are valued
- Challenging ideas and perspectives leads to better outcomes and growth
- Encourage devil’s advocates to highlight flaws or potential issues
-
Don’t be a silent participant in meetings
- Shyness should not hinder active participation
- Silent observers without adding value are less likely to be noticed for career advancement
- “If you truly wanna get noticed and move up the ladder, you can’t be a silent person, just sitting in meetings, half paying attention and not adding value.” – Randy Ornstein
- Actively engage, contribute, and demonstrate your commitment to personal and team growth
Strategies for Efficient Email, Phone, and Slack Management
- Stay on top of your messages, including emails, phone calls, Slack, and texts
- Respond to communications within 24 to 48 hours, even if it’s a simple acknowledgment or a “no” response
- Use common courtesy when dealing with suppliers or internal colleagues by providing timely responses
- Consider scheduling dedicated time in your day or every few days to focus on responding to communications
- Slack messages should be treated as more instantaneous and timely responses are expected
- Avoid sending one-word responses like “thanks” to prevent clutter and wasting time
- When responding to emails, provide more depth and context rather than just a simple “thanks.”
- Use acronyms or clear headers in emails to indicate whether a response is required or if it’s for informational purposes only
- Structure your emails with bullet points to make them more concise and easier to read
-
If a matter is complex or requires immediate attention, don’t hesitate to use the phone for a quicker resolution
- Phone calls can save time compared to lengthy email exchanges and are particularly useful for urgent matters.
- Embrace the power of the phone to build relationships and communicate effectively
The Power of Study and Knowing Your Numbers
- Know your numbers and performance metrics in your role
- Study your business and industry to become an expert in what you sell or manage
- Utilize tools and reports available in your company to review and analyze performance data regularly
- Set aside dedicated time each week to study and stay updated on the latest trends and developments
- Visit stores, observe competitors, and stay active on social media to understand market trends and consumer preferences
- Being knowledgeable about your business and industry helps you confidently answer questions from management and make informed decisions
- Studying both internal and external factors allows you to identify opportunities and stay ahead of the competition
- Continuous learning and staying informed contribute to your professional growth and increase your chances of getting a promotion
Developing Best Practices for Your Company
- The best practice is something that saves time, money or increases revenue within a company
-
It can be as simple as streamlining Excel reports or developing new processes in collaboration with the IT department
- An example is a cost collection process for alcohol wholesalers, where a team member created a monthly process through Jotform, reducing time and standardizing the cost update format
- Best practices are not always given but are expected to be identified and implemented by employees to improve their own work efficiency
- Employees should constantly think of ways to make their job better, easier, and smarter to drive results
- Permission may not be necessary for no-budget best practices, but budget-related practices require management involvement
- Proactive problem solvers who identify issues, take initiative, develop solutions, and present results are highly valued for career advancement
Get Better at Asking for Things
- Regular communication with your boss is crucial for career advancement
- Weekly touchpoints with your boss help discuss ongoing projects and tasks
- Monthly meetings should focus on individual performance and address any issues or needs for improvement
- Expressing the resources required for your projects or initiatives demonstrates your commitment to improving processes
- It’s essential to be proactive and vocal about your needs rather than passively accepting limitations
- Articulate the reasons why you need specific resources, highlighting the benefits and return on investment (ROI) they would bring
- While you may not always get everything you ask for, being vocal and explaining the value of the requested resources increases the likelihood of receiving them
- It’s important to remember to reciprocate and provide support to your team members when they need resources or assistance
The Role of Mentors in Helping Secure Promotions
- Finding a mentor is important for career growth, especially when formal mentorship programs are lacking in companies
- Mentors can be individuals you admire or previous bosses who have moved to different companies
- Mentors can help open doors and provide guidance for career transitions or exploration of different roles or departments
- The mentor/mentee relationship should be based on trust and openness, allowing for honest discussions about career aspirations and challenges
- Mentors often have strong relationships with other professionals, which can be beneficial for networking and making connections
- Mentorship can be informal, with occasional calls or meetings when guidance is needed
- When choosing a mentor, prioritize someone with whom you have a good relationship and who values the mentorship partnership
- Look for mentors who are at a higher level or have more experience, as they can provide valuable insights and guidance on leadership and advancement
- Mentors may also support you during job applications or promotions by speaking positively about your skills and potential, even if they haven’t directly worked with you daily
Timing of Bringing up the Idea of a Promotion
- The timing of bringing up the idea of promotion should be strategic and not too soon after starting a new role
- Annual performance reviews are a suitable time to discuss promotion opportunities, but periodic check-ins with your boss are also important
- Gauge your progress and have discussions about advancement every one to two months
- If you’ve been in a role for two to three years without signs of promotion, it’s crucial to have open and vocal discussions about your career progression
-
Avoid constantly asking about promotions, as it can be off-putting
- Instead, make it an ongoing discussion while excelling in your current role
-
Keeping documentation of your accomplishments and successes can be valuable during performance reviews
- Maintain a record of implemented best practices, successful projects, and positive feedback from your boss
- Documenting your accomplishments and saving relevant emails can make the review process smoother and more comprehensive
The Biggest Challenges After Getting the Promotion
- Transitioning from the old job to the new role can be a significant challenge when starting a promotion
-
Initially, you may still have responsibilities from your previous role until a replacement is hired
- It’s essential to train the new hire and gradually shift your old workload to them to avoid an overwhelming workload
-
Delegation becomes crucial as you move up in your career
- Learning to delegate tasks and projects to your team members is necessary for effective time management and leadership
-
Friction and awkwardness can arise when you get promoted to a position where you now oversee colleagues who were once on equal footing with you
- It’s important to address the shift in the dynamic and establish a clear manager/employee relationship
- While maintaining friendships outside of work is possible, professionalism and accepting new roles are key to maintaining a functional working relationship
- Initially, there may be some discomfort, but with time and a professional approach, the awkwardness can be overcome, allowing for a productive working relationship
- Being professional and treating the new role and responsibilities with the appropriate level of seriousness and professionalism is crucial in managing the transition from colleague to manager