Moving ahead, or growth is a strong human need. The order can be debated and contested, but the need to “move up” is  indisputable. This phenomenon is more visible when human beings participate in a vocation, and get rewarded for deploying their skills and knowledge. ‘Growth’ in this context is signified by career movement or promotions and represents a need of better financial health and security, to power and status needs, and right up to higher order needs of external equity and actualisation. Promotions have a huge role to play in our emotional well being. It makes sense then to follow a well crafted strategy to achieve the desired career goals for yourself. Here are the key steps to execute this strategy:
 
*Build a simple career map  and track your growth path hypothetically, right up to the end of your career. This exercise is called “Life Career Goal” mapping.

*Critique this map and challenge each move in the track you have outlined. Making it more realistic.

*Validate this final map with a colleague (whom you trust) or a close professional friend and go through a final level of critique. 

*Make this your reference document to plan your career and be intentional about your moves. Work backwards from the “end state” down to the “current state,” tracing the intermediate steps. 

*Focus on the next two milestones. Identify the roles you need to go after to achieve those milestones.

*Examine the roles deeply; try to identify key skills, knowledge and experience requirements for getting there. 

*Identify your strengths , skills/knowledge/experience/proficiency that will allow you to position yourself well for the role.

*Build your “brand description” highlighting your key strengths that will allow you to succeed.

*Identify the gaps (areas where you need to put in more work).

*Put in a 3-6 month plan to plug the skill gaps and identify support systems and strategies to manage your natural weaknesses and leverage strengths.

*Scan the environment and identify key stakeholders who will influence the growth decision. Establish contact through smart means.

*Be intentional about communicating your aspiration for a particular role clearly and strongly. Clarity and confidence helps build a positive pre-disposition and also places you in the radar. 

*Communication of aspirations needs to be supported by a strong case, which is where you need to smartly and subtly articulate why you can succeed in the target role. 

*Finally, remember you need to be intentional, smart and relentless here. With the right mix of research, preparation, brand positioning and persuasion/influence, you can get the nod from the decision-making “panel”.

So, take the reigns in your hands, get intentional and crack the “promotion code”. Speed and time are of extreme essence, so don’t delay the move. Start now!!

The writer is an Executive Coach to global leaders and a senior career consultant for executives. He can be reached at: lalitkhanna16@gmail.com