How to get promoted, fast?

My 5-step framework for becoming undeniable inside your org.

I was naive early on in my career.

I thought working hard alone would get me through the corporate ranks.

Showing up early to work, not taking lunch breaks & working late were my gold standards.

I’d even be guilty of taking personal time off.

Gosh, I cringe even thinking about all that now… But I promise I’ve moved on since then.

Having said that, here are some of the common mistakes that I see people make even today:

→ Do good work.

Doing your best possible work is paramount to not just your corporate success but also to succeeding in life. But the buck doesn’t stop there. Hard work is just a piece of the puzzle & you need the rest of the pieces.

→ Be patient.

While patience is an important trait while pursuing anything hard in life, there’s a bit of brute force that is necessary, especially when things don’t go your way, which is often the case. Knowing when to be patient & when to go hard is a skill one must develop.

→ Trust the system.

I’m all about playing by the rules until the rules become fluid enough for others to maneuver around them to get what they want. In my opinion, rules are meant to be broken, especially those arbitrarily created by people for their convenience.

It wasn’t until I joined Google in 2018 that I began to understand what it took to truly advance to the next level.

Getting promoted has 2 parts to it:

• working on things that are worthy of working on

• ability to market and sell to as many folks as possible.

And once I realized that, everything changed.

But, wait, how do you know what to work on & how do you learn to market yourself?

Here is my simple 5-step methodology that anyone can use:

1. Own a visible initiative

Don’t wait for permission.

Seek out projects that are strategic, not just tactical.

Look for work that:

• Solves a business-critical problem

• Involves cross-functional stakeholders

• Gets visibility from senior leaders

Tip: Ask, “If I crush this, who will notice—and why will it matter?”

That’s the kind of initiative worth owning.

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2. Get clarity on what it takes in your org

Promotions aren’t just about performance.

They’re about alignment.

Figure out:

• What does “the next level” look like in your org?

• What are the unwritten rules?

• What patterns do you notice in those who get promoted fast?

Talk to your manager. Ask peers who’ve moved up. Review internal frameworks.

Don’t assume. Investigate like your growth depends on it—because it does.

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3. Document & socialize your wins

Start a “Brag Bank.” Update it weekly.

Track:

• Metrics moved

• Feedback received

• Initiatives led

• Problems solved

Then, don’t keep it to yourself.

Weave your wins into 1:1s, performance reviews, and team syncs.

Not as ego—but as evidence.

If you don’t advocate for your value, who will?

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4. Master upward communication

Learn to speak your manager’s language—and their boss’s too.

When you share updates:

• Lead with the business impact

• Be concise, not exhaustive

• Always tie work back to company priorities

Think: “What do they care about—and how does my work support it?”

Execs don’t want noise. They want clarity.

The better you communicate up, the more trust—and influence—you build.

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5. Build advocates early—not when you need them

Waiting until promo season to get buy-in? Too late.

Start now:

• Ask for feedback early from skip-levels

• Volunteer for cross-functional projects

• Offer support before you ask for it

Be helpful. Be visible. Be consistent.

People fight for people they respect and remember.

You can keep hoping someone notices, or you can become undeniable.

Promotions don’t happen because you’re “ready.”

They happen because you’re well-positioned.

This isn’t about being louder.

It’s about being smarter, sharper, and visible where it counts.

Treat your career like the business it is—

And you’ll stop waiting for growth…

And start creating it.

Until next time…

— Raghav.B