In episode 114, we’re talking about why hard work alone doesn’t lead to promotions, and what actually does.

Many high performers, especially first-generation professionals and people of color, were taught that if you work hard, keep your head down, and deliver results, recognition will follow. But in most organizations, effort without visibility isn’t enough. Promotions go to people who can clearly communicate their impact and connect their work to business outcomes.

In this episode, I break down why being valuable isn’t the same as being seen as valuable, and how over-performing without strategic communication can actually delay advancement. I share client stories, practical examples, and a clear framework for translating your work into language decision-makers understand and can advocate for.

In this episode, I cover:

• Why hard work alone doesn’t secure promotions

• The difference between being valuable and being visible

• How to communicate impact without bragging or self-promotion

• Why over-executing can stall your leadership trajectory

• How to build a clear, repeatable promotion plan with ongoing conversations

Key Takeaways:

• Promotions require visibility, not just effort

• Decision-makers need clear evidence of impact to advocate for you

• Communicating value is a leadership skill, not self-promotion

• Ongoing conversations matter more than one-time promotion asks

• You don’t need to do more, you need to translate what you’re already doing

Chapters:

00:46 Why Hard Work Alone Doesn’t Secure Promotions

02:04 Linking Contributions to Business Goals

05:33 Use Quantitative Evidence to Demonstrate Impact

08:02 Naming Specific Business Outcomes

11:42 Positioning Yourself as Ready for Leadership

15:19 A Structured Promotion Plan

18:42 Framing Achievements Around Business Impact

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