Question: My boss knows that I want to be promoted this year. It’s May, and she hasn’t mentioned anything. A headhunter contacted me with the same job but more money. Should I leave?
Answer: It is very interesting that you are waiting for your boss to approach you. If you are an entry level manager on a career ladder, it’s likely that the HR process is driving your career. Before you consider leaving your current company for what sounds like a lateral move, address the following:
- In the next 18 months, my goal is to ________
- I have made the following contributions to my department or organization:
- Have I been recognized or rewarded?
- The skills, knowledge and competency that I have developed are:
- The one experience or capability that I need to secure my next position is_____
The key to your current success and career satisfaction is to own your job/role and to use your current opportunity to grow into your next job. Remember that you didn’t end up in this job by accident and no one is twisting your arm to stay –or at least I hope not! Why not take the opportunity to bloom where you are planted? Invigorate your work consider the following:
- What opportunity can you create to work across departmental lines?
- How can you add value to the business?
- What project can you initiate that will give you visibility to senior management, or customers, or to a new area of the organization?
- How can you help your manager be more successful?
Now, schedule a meeting with your manager and enlist her support to produce the 
results,create the relationships and demonstrate the style that will result in your promotion. Your actions determine your success.