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
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 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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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