Big Think A Harvard career coach’s “unspoken rules” for getting promoted | Gorick Ng for Big Think+
Aug 17, 2025
Gorick Ng, a Harvard career coach and bestselling author, shares essential insights on navigating workplace promotions. He emphasizes that success isn't just about hard work; understanding unspoken rules is crucial. Ng highlights the importance of building relationships and aligning with managers' unspoken goals. As a first-generation college graduate, he shares personal experiences that shed light on the hidden dynamics of career advancement, encouraging proactive communication and ownership to truly stand out.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Hard Work Isn't Enough
- Doing hard work is necessary but not sufficient to get promoted.
- Unspoken expectations determine who advances in elite workplaces.
Baseball Bat at a Hockey Game
- Gorick felt like he brought a baseball bat to a hockey game when he started work.
- He worked hard but realized coworkers who built relationships got more visible roles.
Insiders Versus Outsiders
- Workplaces split insiders who know hidden rules from outsiders who don't.
- That gap causes underrepresented employees to stagnate or quit before proving themselves.
