Getting promoted isn’t always just about working hard; sometimes, it’s about putting your effort in the right direction. Even high-performing employees can unknowingly sabotage their progress and end up overlooked when it comes time for a promotion.
From simply meeting expectations to overlooking key relationships, minor missteps can quietly stall your career growth.
Here are five common mistakes to avoid at work — plus practical tips on how to get promoted.
Showing up to one-on-ones unprepared
Preparing for one-on-one meetings in advance is key, according to Jenny Wood, a former Google executive and the author of “Wild Courage.” If you treat your weekly one-on-ones like a casual check-in instead of a strategic career-building moment, you’re missing a valuable opportunity to shape your career trajectory.
Reflecting on her own experience managing employees, Wood says, “There were senior leaders who came with nothing, and those were not the people who got promoted.”
She recommends coming to the meeting with a simple half-page document that outlines your key metrics, recent wins, roadblocks and career goals. Those bullets can include showcasing positive customer feedback or highlighting a spreadsheet you’re currently working on. For Wood, this demonstrates a level of proactiveness that is far superior to arriving without notes and no preparation.
Similarly, the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) recommends that employees structure an individual development plan (IDP) to allow supervisors to clarify performance expectations.
“IDPs should be viewed as a partnership between an employee and their supervisor, and involves preparation and continuous feedback,” according to the OPM.
Spending all your time on ‘nap work’ instead of promotable work
Not all work gets you noticed. Replying to a happy birthday email, volunteering to take meeting notes or arranging dinner when senior leadership is in town can make you appear helpful, but rarely move the needle when it comes to promotion.
Tasks that are nice but not impactful are what Wood describes as “nap work” — short for “not actually promotable.”
“Some people think of this as glue work or invisible work,” Wood explains. “It’s nice for culture. It’s good to do some of it, but no more than 10%. If you’re doing more than 10% nap work, you’re doing yourself a big disservice. Nobody in the history of the internet has ever gotten promoted for being ultra-responsive to email.”
Instead, you want to say yes to the big and no to the small in your career. That could include taking on a high-impact marketing project that’s a top priority for your VP or leading an initiative that boosts customer satisfaction by 12% year over year. These are the kinds of contributions that get noticed — and promoted.
Building a relationship with just your boss
People beyond your manager often make decisions regarding promotions. The last thing you want is for your boss to advocate for your promotion and for all the other decision-makers to respond, “Who?”
Wood advocates for building relationships with your manager’s boss and those who sit to the right and left of your boss on the organizational chart. It’s what she calls “managing higher” and “managing diagonally.”
“Think about who has the most influence, who has the big boss’s ear, who is the most reputable and credible and who you want to spend time with,” Wood says.
To build these relationships, you can offer to present at their team meeting, mentor someone on their team or ask for feedback on a major project. You can also add value by sharing a helpful podcast, book or article. Even if you’re early in your career, you still have something to contribute.
One caveat: Wood warns against trying to befriend these influencers right before promotions are decided.
“It looks disingenuous,” she explains. “Start early — ideally a year in advance — and focus on building genuine relationships with two or three leaders.”
Expecting a promotion for doing your job
“Don’t chase a promotion six months into a gig — unless, of course, you’ve invented a new antibiotic,” says Wood.
In other words, don’t expect a promotion too early or for meeting the expectations of your current role.
“You get your paycheck for doing your job. You get promoted for showing you’re capable of doing your job at the next higher level with greater scope,” she says.
Draining your team’s energy
Being great at your job isn’t just about getting results; it’s also about how you show up. If you show up to work frustrated, short-tempered or constantly negative, it won’t serve you, especially when promotion decisions are on the table.
“You have to ask yourself, ‘Are you a radiator or are you a drain?’” Wood says. A radiator is someone who radiates positive energy, and a drain is someone who depletes it. “Why would a manager promote somebody and have them continue to climb the ladder if they’re the kind of person who doesn’t inspire and motivate others?”
Final takeaway
Getting promoted isn’t just doing what you have to do; it’s about showing up with intention, building the right relationships and operating at the next level before you’re officially there.
By avoiding these common missteps and taking a proactive approach to your growth, you’ll not only increase your chances of being promoted, but you’ll also stand out as someone truly ready for it.
