No one walks into a company on their first day, points to the CEO’s chair, and says, “That’s mine by Thursday.” But companies often act like every employee is itching to sprint up the corporate ladder. Some folks are perfectly happy where they are—challenged enough, comfortable enough, and in no hurry to take on even more. Others, though, have their eyes glued to the prize… or at least to that corner office with the cappuccino machine.
These climbers always have the bigger picture in mind—and usually a side hustle dream board to match. But here’s the catch: do they really understand what they’re signing up for when they ask for a promotion? Do they have the traits, grit, and people skills to actually pull it off? And perhaps the biggest question of all: how do you know when they’re ready—and when they’re just chasing the shiny title?
Based on data from nearly 2,000 people who completed the CADVP-R (Career Advancement Profile), we found that those ready for a career move share one thing in common: a proactive “edge” in their attitude and behavior. Here’s what we discovered about people who are really, truly, absolutely promotion-ready:
- They thrive on change and variety.
- They want to participate in the decision-making process.
- They want to be challenged.
- They are on lookout for opportunities to develop their potential.
- They actively network.
- They confidently share their ideas—and will even assertively disagree with their manager’s idea if they don’t think it has merit.
Chasing a promotion sounds exciting—but stepping into a supervisor or manager role is no small leap. Suddenly, you’re not just responsible for your own work; you’re responsible for everyone else’s too. That means handling complaints, firing underperformers, and making decisions that can ripple across the company.
Many people climb the ladder expecting status and power, but what they actually get is stress and responsibility.
If your next great leader is already on your team, our 360° coaching program helps you find them—and get them ready for what’s next. Book a free 20-minute consultation with us to learn more.