How To Work Your Way Up (And Actually Get There)

Working your way up isn't just about putting in more hours or waiting your turn. It's about being strategic, being visible, and knowing how to navigate the messy middle - like relationships, timing, and office politics. This week, we're giving you the exact playbook to stop waiting around for someone to tell you that you're ready for a promotion and how to actually make it happen instead.

We dig into how to know if you're actually ready to move up (spoiler: time in seat doesn't equal readiness), the art of asking for advancement without sounding pushy or awkward, and how to build the kind of reputation that makes people want to champion your career. Plus, we tackle what to do when you tick all the boxes but still don't get the promotion - and why that might actually be the best thing that could happen to you.

What you'll learn:

• The Readiness Reality Check: How to get honest feedback about where you stand and what a "10 out of 10" performance actually looks like
• The Promotion Conversation Reframe: Why you should never use the word "promotion" and what to say instead to get results
• The Trust Factor: Why promotions go to the most trusted person, not the loudest, and four quiet ways to build your reputation
• The Sponsor vs Mentor Distinction: Understanding the difference and why having a sponsor is crucial for career acceleration
• The Rejection Recovery Plan: Four strategic experiments to try when you don't get the promotion (that set you up for success either way)

Our new BIZ hosts are Lisa Lie - a former Head of People & Culture and Organisational Coach - and Mamamia’s Em Vernem.

Learna is Lisa’s microlearning app for practical people skills at work. Expert-led lessons to build confidence, solve challenges, and work smarter - in under 7 minutes. Get it on Apple or Google Play.

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HOSTS: Lisa Lie and Em Vernem
SENIOR PRODUCER: Sophie Campbell
AUDIO PRODUCER: Leah Porges

Mamamia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land we have recorded this podcast on, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present, and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.

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