From One of Them to Leading Them: Navigating Promotion from Within
One day, you’re part of the team—sharing inside jokes, venting about management, and bonding over coffee breaks. The next, you’re the boss. And suddenly, everything changes. The once-easy camaraderie turns into something… complicated.
This isn’t just any promotion—it’s a promotion from within your own team. This transition is one of the hardest shifts a leader can make. It’s uncomfortable, often isolating, and filled with unspoken tension. And yet, hardly anyone talks about just how difficult it really is.
Set Up to Succeed or Set Up to Fail : Shaping Your Middle Managers’ Fate
When middle managers struggle, it’s easy to point fingers. They’re not proactive enough. They don’t take ownership. They’re not real leaders.
But before you call them out, ask yourself: Did I truly set them up to succeed?
If you can clearly list how—great! But if your answer is vague or nonexistent, their failure isn’t just on them—it’s on you.
It’s Not Favoritism—It’s You: Unfiltered Reasons You’re Not Getting Promoted
If you’ve been passed over for a promotion, it’s tempting to blame external factors like nepotism, discrimination, office politics, and bureaucratic red tape— while those realities do exist, let’s put them aside. The truth is, they’re outside your control. What truly matters is what’s within your control, you—your actions, attitudes, and behaviors that may quietly be sabotaging your success.
You may have the credentials, work hard and hit your targets, but promotions aren’t just about what you do—they’re about who you are. It isn’t about how good you look on paper—it’s about trust, character, and the intangible ways you show up every day. If you’ve been passed over, it’s time to ask the uncomfortable question: Am I unintentionally holding myself back?
It could be inconsistency, lack of loyalty, or a pattern of dropping the ball. These aren’t easy truths to hear, but they’re the ones that matter most.