Didn't get the desired promotion? Keep negativity away, get career back on track
It is possible to bounce back after a bad cycle, keeping your reputation and ego intact.
By ET Bureau | Updated:
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By Shannon Tellis
Contrary to popular belief, getting overlooked for a promotion isn’t a career death sentence or a signal to abandon ship. Sometimes it can be a sign that you just need to adjust your goal posts like Atletico Madrid forward Antoine Griezmann did.
The striker was recently crushed when he missed out on the top three spots for this year’s FIFA Player of the Year Award despite the Europa League win and his four crucial goals in Russia that helped France win the World Cup. Despite the setback, the 27-year-old has vowed to give the next three months his best as he sets his sights on winning the Champions League and the prestigious Ballon d’Or.
Yes, getting passed over for a promotion can be dejecting but if you maintain some perspective, it is possible that you can triumph with both your reputation and ego intact. Here are a few tips to get you over the hump:
Mid-Year Blues At Work? Bookmark These Warren Buffett Quotes
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If you're having a not-so-great time at work, and in life in general, don't lose hope. All great journeys have had rocky starts. And if you need some inspiration to keep going, here are some quotes from the 'Oracle of Omaha' that will lend perspective.
If you're having a not-so-great time at work, and in life in general, don't lose hope. All great journeys have had rocky starts. And if you need some inspiration to keep going, here are some quotes f..
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"Rule No. 1: Never lose money. Rule No. 2: Never forget Rule No.1."
“It takes 20 years to build a reputation and five minutes to ruin it. If you think about that, you’ll do things differently.”
In the everyday grind, we often get consumed by the mundane, and ennui sets in. And that's when it becomes imperative to remember that the right combination of passion and energy can make a difference to the efforts we put, in work and life. And hasty, impulsive acts can have repercussions.
"Rule No. 1: Never lose money. Rule No. 2: Never forget Rule No.1."“It takes 20 years to build a reputation and five minutes to ruin it. If you think about that, you’ll do things differently.” In the..
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“I always knew I was going to be rich. I don’t think I ever doubted it for a minute.”
"Of the billionaires I have known, money just brings out the basic traits in them. If they were jerks before they had money, they are simply jerks with a billion dollars."
You might expect a billionaire like Buffett to live in a sprawling mansion in some secluded location looking out to the sea or something.
Form is temporary, class is permanent, they say. And no one better than Buffett himself who lives by this rule of life. Nothing flashy works for the billionaire investor and philanthropist. He continues to live in the same house in the central Dundee neighborhood of Omaha that he bought in 1958 for $31,500.
“I always knew I was going to be rich. I don’t think I ever doubted it for a minute.” "Of the billionaires I have known, money just brings out the basic traits in them. If they were jerks before they..
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"You only have to do a very few things right in your life so long as you don’t do too many things wrong."
"It’s better to hang out with people better than you. Pick out associates whose behavior is better than yours and you’ll drift in that direction."
Even since he was young, Buffett’s not only been tactful, but an extremely intelligent and hard worker. While still in high school, he made money delivering newspapers, selling golf balls and stamps, and detailing cars, among other means.
By the time he turned 16, he had amassed the equivalent of $53,000.
Now if that's not inspiring enough...
"You only have to do a very few things right in your life so long as you don’t do too many things wrong." "It’s better to hang out with people better than you. Pick out associates whose behavior is b..
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"The rich invest in time, the poor invest in money."
"Wall Street is the only place that people ride to in a Rolls Royce to get advice from those who take the subway."
No one better than Mr. Buffett knows about the importance, and value, of money. And while it’s not unusual for billionaires to drive Rolls-Royces, Lamborghinis or Bentleys, it's not the same for the legendary investor.
Up until 2014, Buffett, who prefers vehicles by Ford and General Motors, drove an eight-year-old Cadillac.
"The rich invest in time, the poor invest in money." "Wall Street is the only place that people ride to in a Rolls Royce to get advice from those who take the subway." No one better than Mr. Buffett ..
Check the negativity Unless you’re a robot, finding out you got passed up for a promotion can be a bitter pill to swallow and it’s instinctive to want to lash out. However, getting angry and depressed will not get you another promotion and may, in fact, hamper the professional reputation you’ve worked so hard to build. At that moment, it’s important to take a step back and calmly process that cocktail of emotions that comes with being passed over — surprise, frustration, disappointment and anger. Give yourself the chance to cool off before making any hasty decisions.
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Use it as a stepping stone While there’s nothing wrong with expressing disappointment, make sure you take the time to find out how you could have done better. Rather than dropping passive-aggressive hints or stewing in a storm of ‘what ifs’, the professional thing to do would be to approach your manager directly or someone high up in the organisation that you trust and ask them “How can we work together to make sure I get promoted in the future?”
By going straight to the source, not only will you gain insight into areas in which you can improve but you’ll also be able to understand how the leadership team thinks when it comes to appraisals.
It’s important to note that there is usually a combination of factors involved when you’re passed over for a promotion. In case you think your boss isn’t being straight with you, feel free to approach a trusted senior or knowledgeable person within the company to get their take.
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Workplace Diversity: Need Equality In The Boardrooms
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The world over, there has been a clamour for diversity in the workplace. In India too, the story is no different. And a lot of corporations have raised red flags over the abysmal representation of women in the boardroom. From treating women equally to women-specific policies, there are various points of view.
So what can bring about diversity?
The world over, there has been a clamour for diversity in the workplace. In India too, the story is no different. And a lot of corporations have raised red flags over the abysmal representation of ..
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Does workplace diversity happen when women are treated the same as the men, be it roles, responsibilities and accountability too? Is diversity a by-product of similar treatment to both genders?
Does workplace diversity happen when women are treated the same as the men, be it roles, responsibilities and accountability too? Is diversity a by-product of similar treatment to both genders?
Or is diversity best guaranteed when corporations put in place specific policies and procedures that ensure women don't lose their career trajectory when they take a break to set up home or start a family?
Or is diversity best guaranteed when corporations put in place specific policies and procedures that ensure women don't lose their career trajectory when they take a break to set up home or start a..
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Most companies today realise the aching need for having more women in the boardroom in order to improve diversity. They understand that they need more women in the corner offices as role models that will go on to encourage more to join the workforce.
Most companies today realise the aching need for having more women in the boardroom in order to improve diversity. They understand that they need more women in the corner offices as role models tha..
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Being a role model isn't easy, though. Most success stories show that women have had to make major sacrifices to reach the top. But young people want their role models to have it all - from an exciting career to a happy family life, wealth, fame and leisure.
Being a role model isn't easy, though. Most success stories show that women have had to make major sacrifices to reach the top. But young people want their role models to have it all - from an exci..
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Workplaces can become inclusive and level-playing fields when there is support and acknowledgement. Women, too, need to seize the day in a line of work they love and enjoy. Prioritising is critical, so is communicating one's needs. And don't be ashamed of asking for help. When the time comes, you can always pass that on.
Workplaces can become inclusive and level-playing fields when there is support and acknowledgement. Women, too, need to seize the day in a line of work they love and enjoy. Prioritising is critical..
Act, don’t wallow Once you have concrete feedback, start working on an action plan to make that promotion a reality. For example, if you were passed up for not bringing in enough business leads, try expanding your circle of influence. Throughout this process, make sure you have a set time frame in mind to achieve your goals.You don’t want to be stuck in an endless cycle of feedback that goes nowhere.
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Have a Plan B Finally, if you’ve set a reasonable timeline but it hasn’t worked out or if you feel there may be some other forces keeping you from that promotion, to consider an exit plan. You don’t have to jump right to mailing stacks of resumes. But it might be a good idea to brush up on your contacts so that you’re ready for new opportunities when they appear.
