The other day a follower asked, “Aunty, how do I tell my boss I want to be promoted to a leadership role?”
Aaahhh… so you want to be a leader, eh? Good for you! Here’s what I did when I was a young executive, trying to climb that leadership ladder:
1. I proved myself first, then asked later. Before I even talked about it, I made sure I delivered solid, consistent results. My boss needed to see I was already acting like leadership material.
2. I dropped hints whenever I can. During casual chats with my boss, I mentioned that I was keen on stepping up. I let my boss know I’m ready for more responsibility.
3. I built my case. I showed my boss how I’ve already been leading, even without the title (and pay!). I mentored juniors, took the lead on pet projects voluntarily, and backed it up with results. Let our work speak for themselves!
4. Be confident but not overconfident. I spoke with conviction but stayed humble. A balance that I still struggle with honestly!
5. And be prepared to be rejected as well. Sometimes, the timing isn’t just right or our boss might not think we’re ready yet. Take it with grace. Ask what skills we need to develop, set clear goals for our growth and go back to #1.
Most importantly, ask yourself this – Are you truly ready to lead?
Leadership isn’t always fun. It’s about prioritising the team over yourself. Are you prepared to carry that extra responsibility with both confidence and humility? Something to ponder about.
All the best with your negotiations, and semoga you berjaya in getting that promotion!
xoxoxo, AuntyHR
