The Myth of Merit-Based Promotions
As a child, I was fascinated by the idea of Santa Claus. But it wasn’t until I was eight years old that I began to question the logistics of his gift-giving abilities. It wasn’t just the physical impossibility of delivering presents to every child in the world in one night; it was the motivation behind it. Why would a wealthy, powerful individual spend his time and resources on buying gifts for children he’d never meet?
This line of thinking led me to realize that the concept of Santa Claus is not unique. False or exaggerated incentives exist everywhere to encourage certain behaviors. One such myth is the merit-based promotion.
The Comforting Lie of Merit-Based Promotions
I recently realized that the idea of merit-based promotions is just that – an idea. It took me thirty years to come to this understanding, but I’m better off for it. Let’s consider a hypothetical situation. Mr. Bighead has worked for Conglom-O for six years, earning $40,000 per year with a 2% cost-of-living increase. He’s highly educated, a hard worker, and a natural leader. Yet, he’s not going to get a promotion anytime soon.
The Cold, Hard Reality
To understand why, we need to ask ourselves what Conglom-O’s motivation is. Why should they promote Mr. Bighead? From an employee-centric perspective, it’s easy to think that he deserves a promotion because of his hard work and dedication. But from the company’s perspective, there’s no incentive to promote him. In fact, it would cost them more to move him to a managerial role, where he’d earn at least $75,000 per year.
The Myth of the Meritocracy
It’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking that we live in a meritocracy, where hard work and talent are rewarded. Schools reinforce this idea, where good grades and achievements lead to recognition and advancement. However, this is not always the case in the real world. Companies often promote the image of a meritocracy to inspire employees to work harder, but it’s just a myth.
Getting Promoted Without Luck or Circumstance
So, what can you do to get promoted? There are two strategies that don’t rely on luck or circumstance:
- Leave the Company: Sometimes, the best way to move up is to move on. This allows you to start fresh and be seen as a serious professional in a new workplace.
- Align Your Promotion with Business Interests: Identify ways you can save the company money or improve their bottom line. Frame your request for a promotion as part of a larger business strategy that aligns with the company’s vision. Express this as a time-sensitive business need that you’re eager to fulfill, and attach a dollar amount to it if possible.
Remember, companies are motivated by profit, not sentiment. By understanding their perspective, you can increase your chances of getting promoted.
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