Why confirming won’t get you promoted
Career growth feels like a complex and maze right?
Well-meaning mentors tell you to dive this way and it’s a dead end. Friends in other companies tell you what worked for them, you go round in circles. LinkedIn shows you endless banners for ‘I’ve been promoted’ so you see the prize in the centre, but no clue how to get there.
Today’s article is for those of us who were brought up to check all the right boxes. Demonstrate competence, do the right work, play by the rules. And it’s not working for us.
It’s not working because in truth many of the criteria that gets you promoted are invisible. But one thing that is known to work is to be known for something.
The paradox is those of us who are conforming become invisible because there are so many of us. The more visible you are, the more your unique ability will stand out. And standing up for something is part of that equation.
This one’s about invisible promotion criteria.
How identity and uniqueness play a crucial role in helping you rise through the ranks.
How to leverage your individuality and embrace your own identity to stand out.
THE HIDDEN CRITERIA FOR CAREER SUCCESS
For the most part our time at school and college teaches us that success is based on merit. Doing excellent work, exceeding our grade targets, being the most knowledgeable in the room.
Some of this translates into the workplace, but not all of it. At school and our college our work is mostly individual. We’re assessed on our merits as an individual in our own right.
At work of course, all work is human. We’re therefore judged not just on ourselves, but ourselves in relation to others. If you’re not watching carefully it’s easy to translate the values that were important in your education into work and miss at least half the equation.
And it’s not just what you do. But how you go about doing it. Author Herminia Ibarra, in her book Act Like a Leader, Think Like a Leader, writes that leadership isn’t just about having technical skills or expertise. It’s also presenting yourself as a leader.
People get promoted because they embody a leadership identify that others latch on to and recognise. They’ve established visibility through their unique contributions, perspectives and ways of doing things.
Reassuring many of us, it’s not about being loud or always present. It is about being authentic, consistent and true. It’s hard to be consistent if you’re not true to yourself, eventually the cracks start to show and it’s hard to live a persona you’re not.
In short therefore people often get promoted because they embody a leadership identity that is seen and recognised by others as a leader. Having confidence in your individuality is what helps. It sets you apart, it’s consistent, therefore trustworthy. And without trust, a leader has no followers.
What if standing for something, something that truly aligns with your values – turned out to be the key to your success?
The conventional path is a formula. Work hard, say yes to everything and be the perfect team player. But for lots of us it leads to burnout, stress and a feeling we’re following the herd, trying to keep up. And worse, we’re not even sure why we’re doing it.
What if we flipped this on its head and saw the world another way. Turned the belief upside down?
What if following the herd just made you part of it?
What if being the herd now made it harder to see you in the middle?
What if success was built instead by being unapologetically you?
What if the right opportunities, relationships and recognition went to those who were showing up as their authentic selves, come what may?
Without companies and people willing to go against the grain, many of the greatest inventions and innovations we now love might never have happened. Does it mean facing into painful rejection? Absolutely.
Rejection from those who are not open to seeing what’s in front of them.
Rejection from those not ready yet to be brave.
What if you’ve nothing to lose. Because for sure you know that standing in the middle of the herd, whilst safe, is only ever going to keep you there.
Your unique perspective, your voice, your identity—those are the things that will get you noticed.
Think about it. What’s the point of getting promoted if you must lose yourself in the process? Instead of being seen as another ‘yes person’ the key to standing out is to establish a unique identity. Be known for something. Have the confidence to say no, when it doesn’t align with your values. Speaking up when you have a different perspective.
This is what attracts opportunities. People want to work with those who aren’t afraid to be themselves.
No one’s lining up to work with the ‘yes man’
As a rising leader, especially if like me you have a people pleasing tendency, this notion of standing out can be intimidating. I, possibly like you, was raised to go with the flow, blend in, not rock the boat or attract attention to yourself.
Visibility isn’t about being the yes person. It’s showing you have a spark of individuality and that your contributions are distinct from everyone else’s. That’s why they need you, because no-one else will do.
And that’s also why it has to be you. Fakery won’t wash. And if you’re still not comfortable try framing it this way. The things you know, the things you can do can add more value when shared with others. It’s not boastful to show these things off, it’s a service to others.
Simon Sinek often talks about the power of why. He argues consistently that the most successful leaders and organisations aren’t the ones with the best products or the best resume or CV. But the ones who radiate a clear and authentic why. A why that resonates with others. They stand for more than just the bottom line.
Why do you lead the way you do?
What’s your why?
Overcome your fear of judgement
In my VIP Coaching Programmes, clients go through a full Positive Intelligence assessment. This helps them understand thought patterns deep inside, often unsurfaced, that influences how they behave and show up. And for many of us, the big thing that holds us back is a fear of judgement.
When we fear being judged, we keep things inside, we avoid. As I teach people the Sage perspective, the Sage knows that perfection is an illusion, and that vulnerability, authenticity and embracing your quirks are what makes you a powerful leader.
This perspective helps you navigate difficult situations, make wise decisions, and build deeper, more meaningful connections with others.
And with that Sage perspective you can rise above the noise, stay true to yourself, even when faced with pressure. Instead of fitting a mould you can lean into uniqueness.
How to start being unique.
Identify your core values.
What matters to you most. What do you stand for. What’s non-negotiable. When you know your values, decisions are easier, and you can act with integrity.
Embrace your strengths.
Double down on them. Focus on weaknesses that matter but amplify strengths. You’ll make faster progress because those strengths will take you into new areas where you can test if what you fear is really a weakness of just an underdeveloped muscle.
Cultivate confidence in you.
Get used to talking about yourself, your origin story, what you stand for, what you believe in. What types of projects and people naturally fire you up. When you’re at your best.
Promotions and career growth come not from fitting in, but from embracing what makes you different and showing that with confidence
Take just one thing from today and that’s doing good work isn’t enough. You must stand out through your unique identity. Your path. Your individuality.
And by applying Positive Intelligence, embracing your sage perspective and focussing on your true values you will unlock authenticity and all the power that flows from it.
When you lead from your true self, you not only get noticed—you get promoted.
And that’s what we want.
One last word before you go
If you're ready to stop blending in and start leading with confidence, it's time to embrace your unique identity and stand out in your career.
The path to success isn’t about following the crowd—it’s about unlocking your true leadership potential.
I’ve been working hard on a 30-Day Leadership Accelerator for rising leaders after feeling frustrated for so many coaching clients, underserved by their organisations, capable of more yet ready to give it all up.
I’d love you to try it and leave it a review so that others can benefit too. And so there’s no cost for the whole of summer 2025.
Just be kind and leave a review, that’s all I ask of you.
You can find 30 Day Leadership Accelerator here: https://subscribepage.io/PrZlPM
And my Google Review link here: https://g.page/r/CdwIuliuqsCqEAI/review
Thanks so much until next time.
Coach Ian
