Stop Waiting for a Promotion
If there’s one thing I’ve learned coaching leaders from first-time managers to seasoned executives, it’s this: your career will not take a leap just because you quietly do great work in the corner.
The leaders who move from manager to executive—and thrive once they get there—understand three things: clarity, visibility, and courage.
First, clarity.
So many people tell me, “I don’t know what I want.” That’s not a flaw, it’s a starting point.
Ask yourself:
What’s been energizing me lately?
If I knew I couldn’t fail, what would I try?
Where am I holding back because it scares me?
Whose judgment am I afraid of?
Maybe you do know what you want—but you’re staying quiet, afraid of being dismissed or shut down. Your answers will guide you to your next steps.
Second, visibility.
Self-promotion isn’t ego, it’s evidence. Show the value you deliver by sharing milestones, lessons learned, and the obstacles you’ve overcome. Always connect your results to the organization’s goals so others see the bigger impact. If this feels uncomfortable, enlist a self-promotion buddy—celebrate each other’s wins and keep one another visible.
"The price of inaction is far greater than the cost of a mistake."
—Meg Whitman, Former CEO of HP and eBay
Third, courage.
Meg Whitman’s words are a reminder that hesitation can cost more than a wrong turn. Leading in 2025 means navigating uncertainty with grace and grit. You won’t always have the full picture, but you can still make decisive calls, inspire confidence, and unite people around a shared purpose.
That’s what executives do differently: they think beyond their team, build influence across the organization, and act even when the path isn’t fully lit.
The bottom line? Don’t wait for a promotion to start acting like the leader you want to be.
Build relationships, speak up about your ambitions, and practice asking for what you want with clarity, confidence, and a win-win mindset. The seat at the table is there, and it's yours to claim.
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Together we unleash forward,
Salima Valji
📅 Book a free coaching consultation and let’s map out your next move.
