Can you be promoted?
View(s):
You have to demonstrate your next level potential to be promoted
If we look at the hard data, last years’s GDP growth was around 2.3% but the companies we served had a good year on volume growth. Central Bank estimates that in the year 2020, the GDP growth in Sri Lanka will be at 1.5%. Which means that the downward swing cannot have such ramifications that many envisaged at the outset of the pandemic. This statement will hold ground unless the CBSL data is flawed.
Even if we take the World Bank forecast at -0.3% for this year means that Sri Lanka technically cannot see a major swing. Hence, we see the importance of our behaviour in the next 3-6 months so that we can be ‘products’ that can be promoted in our work place.
Poverty trap
A point we must keep in mind as we plan our work for the next 3-6 months, is that many households in the South Asian countries tend to have a tendency for the population to be clustered around the poverty belt. Currently, in Sri Lanka there are an estimated 0.8 million population in the poverty trap and unless Sri Lanka opens the country for business this population can shoot up to 1.3 million if the unemployment level goes up by 10%.
This is the biggest challenge that Sri Lanka will have to deal with than the Spread of the Covid19 virus. The logic being that even with the current spread, the maximum number of patients that can contract the Covid virus is estimated at 1144 people with a fatality rate of 1% as at today’s data. Which means that Poverty will be bigger challenge for the Government than the fall out of the containment of the Covid 19 virus.
Key actions to get promoted
Let me share some key actions you can do to increase your value in the company you work at.
1) Don’t have boundaries:
All of us have job descriptions. We must practice this daily. But to get promoted, you have to go above and beyond. Take additional responsibilities without being asked. Especially today where the fastest win business, venture out and do things outside your scope and you will realize that your boss will naturally see your work ethic, energy, and skills. Work this.
2) Remember you can be replaced
Whilst you are performing at high gear especially at this moment of time, the key here is not to be seen as the only person capable of performing the necessary duties in the position. Then you will not be promoted. But if you can train a team member to take your position then, you boss will realize that he can get more from you by promoting you. Also that retaining you will be key for the company.
3) Company culture
I have many times seen brilliant people not going anywhere in the company as they are seen as an outlaw. You must be careful to understand the importance of understanding the company culture. The language, clothes you wear and the humor that works in a company. This makes the top management believe that you are the material for the continuity of the business. Be sensitive to this soft factor whilst you focus on the hard data like business performance.
4) Behaviour
Whilst you are pushing the KPI’s given the ‘ Covid-19 environment’ we live in we must be conscious on the way we behave at work. How we manage our temper tantrums when things don’t go your way; losing your cool when people cross you; storming out of rooms, yelling; or going silent during conflict, you’re signaling to your boss that you don’t have what it takes to be promoted. Especially as things are rough as safety is an issue we must be conscious of the emotional intelligence we demonstrate in the work place. You don’t have to be a hero. Just do your work and show that you have potential that the company can benefit.
5) Make your claim
When you are good at your job and the timing looks right with your judgement, it’s important to make your claim. Things like ‘ I am interested in the promotion’ or the extra work is very interesting are comments that signals to the boss your changing expectation. If your vibe is right, you will see the response that will come to you and you will know the strategy is right. Then stay on course.
Wayforward
As we head to work from Monday, remember that the most important objective is to survive the ‘ Covid- 19 Virus’ until a vaccine is available. We do not know if the mutation of the virus can make it lethal in Sri Lanka in the near future. As at now it is at 1%. But remember that in India it’s 3.7% nationally and in some parts of India like West Bengal it is 9%. The US the fatality rate is 7.1%. So let’s not become part of the static’s.
Dr Rohantha Athukorala head a AI company- CLOOTRACK for Sri Lanka, Maldives and Pakistan.
The thoughts are strictly his personal views.