The Promotion Playbook: How to Move Up in Leadership

In today's fast-paced tech industry, great work alone is no longer enough to get noticed. The professionals who land next-level roles are playing a smart, strategic game.

Here's the blueprint for moving up without waiting years to be tapped on the shoulder. This is the same promotion playbook that has helped over 100 of my clients level up in their careers—and it can work for you too.

🎥 Prefer watching? Check out our YouTube video on this topic: How to Get Promoted: Proven Strategies for Success 

Strategy 1: Play the Visibility Game

Let's get one thing straight: being excellent at your job is expected. This is not what gets you promoted; it's the baseline.

What actually moves the needle? Strategic visibility.

The people who get promoted are known, trusted, and aligned with high-priority initiatives, especially those tied to revenue.

If you want to be on the radar for your next role, you need to volunteer for high-impact, high-visibility projects that touch your organization's bottom line.

Even more importantly, align yourself with the leaders who hold the purse strings.

• Understand their priorities
• Figure out what success looks like for them
• Contribute in a way that makes them look good.

That's how you become essential—and promotable.

Pro Tip: If P&L-owning leaders can't articulate your impact, you won't be on the list when the next opportunity comes up.

Strategy 2: Understand the Power of Sponsorship

Mentorship is valuable—but it's not enough. If you're gunning for a promotion, you don't just need advice. You need advocacy.

That's where sponsorship comes in.

A mentor might help you troubleshoot your challenges. A sponsor puts your name on the table when decisions are being made. A sponsor speaks on your behalf in rooms you're not in and creates opportunities for you to grow.

If you're serious about moving high-level leadership roles, you need a senior leader who's willing to vouch for your work, influence, and potential.

Ask yourself: Who's championing you when you're not in the room?

Strategy 3: Build a High-Impact Leadership Presence

Promotions to senior roles are all about leadership, and leadership is all about presence.

It starts with communication. Executive communication involves clarity, brevity, and connection.

Whether it's a quick update, a major presentation, or a cross-functional meeting, your ability to synthesize complex information into strategic insight is what makes you sound like a leader.

Your leadership presence depends on influence. If you're only making decisions inside your direct scope, you're not showing that you can operate at the next level.

Start thinking bigger. Make decisions that impact the broader team. Engage across departments. This positions you as someone who's already operating like a Director or VP.

And don't overlook the importance of professional branding. You can't assume people know what you've accomplished. You have to own the narrative of your impact—and do it in a way that doesn't sound self-promotional. The key? Tie your wins to team success and company goals.

Want more on branding? Check out this video: Build Your Professional Brand: The Secret to Securing Promotions

Strategy 4: Position Yourself as the Natural Choice

If your company had to name its next Director or VP tomorrow, would they immediately think of you?

If the answer isn't a hard “yes,” it’s time to change how you're positioning yourself.

Start solving problems before they're assigned to you. High-level leaders anticipate. They come to the table with solutions. That mindset is what separates high-performers from future executives.

Expand your network inside the company. Get to know peers in other departments. Understanding their challenges and offering your support makes you more visible—and more valuable.

And finally, embrace technology. Use AI tools to boost your productivity, streamline your processes, and increase your organizational impact. The leaders who can integrate tech in meaningful ways will stand out in today's market.

AI isn't a threat—it's an opportunity. Use it to show that you're ahead of the curve and ready for more responsibility. To learn more about leveraging AI to advance your career, watch Trending in 2025: AI and What It Means for Your Career.

What's Holding You Back?

You might know what to do but roadblocks like imposter syndrome, fear of self-promotion, or lack of visibility could still be slowing you down.

The first step is to name those challenges. Then take deliberate action to work through them:

✅ Practice clear, confident communication in low-stakes settings.
✅ Ask for feedback regularly.
✅ Look for low-risk opportunities to advocate for yourself and your team's work.

These actions build momentum and confidence.

Want to hear how I personally overcame imposter syndrome? Watch this video: My Struggle with Imposter Syndrome and How I Overcame It

Promotions Don't Just Happen. They're Earned Through Strategy.

If you're stuck waiting for someone to finally notice all your hard work, it's time to stop waiting.

You have to show up strategically, lead visibly, and get the right people advocating for your growth. You now have the framework—what you do with it is up to you.