Want a promotion? Give 80 per cent effort in your job
In a world that champions the grind and glorifies the hustle, the notion of not working hard to secure a promotion might sound crazy. However, a thought-provoking perspective, influenced by the insights of Professor Thomas Curran, invites us to reconsider this traditional mindset. By examining the paradox of striving less for promotions, we uncover a path that might actually lead to a promotion, or at least an improvement in your overall well-being.
The Downside of Becoming Irreplaceable: Becoming as good as possible at your job in the hope of one day getting a promotion may actually be working against you. Why? Well, by doing so, you’re now too hard to replace, and therefore, even though someone else mightn’t be able to do your job as well as you can, they might have a broader skill set i.e. managing others & communication skills
So rather than giving everything you can to be the best at your job, think about scaling back your effort and time slightly to invest in broadening your skill set.
Focus More on Your Well-Being: Striving for promotions at any cost can exact a toll on mental and physical well-being. Professor Thomas Curran, a leading expert on perfectionism, has delved into the dark side of the relentless pursuit of working your hardest. Curran's insights remind us of the importance of striking a balance between ambition and self-care. Nurture your mental health, cultivate positive relationships, and dedicate time to activities that bring you joy outside of work. A well-rounded, fulfilled individual is better equipped to excel in their role and present themselves as a prime candidate for promotions, without compromising their well-being.
Spend More Time Getting To Know Your Colleagues: Curran's research also delves into the traits that make effective leaders and, surprise surprise, these traits extend beyond relentless hard work. Promotions are not just about putting in long hours; they involve demonstrating leadership, inspiring others, and fostering a collaborative environment. Provided that you are meeting your KPIs, rather than going ‘above & beyond’ your work commitments, start spending any leftover time getting to know and helping your colleagues. Becoming someone your colleagues trust and like will increase your chances of being recognized and considered for higher roles.
This counterintuitive approach of not working as hard as you think you need to in order to secure a promotion challenges us to rethink our approach to career advancement. By stepping away from the traditional grind and investing more of our work time and effort into our own well-being and skills set, positions us for greater success in the long run. This is a great reminder that promotions are not solely the result of working your hardest in your job; they are the fruit of a balanced, healthy, and likable professional career.
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