Last year I found myself getting bored at work. I had been at the bottom of the totem pole in my department and was itching for a new challenge. But there didn’t appear to be any way up or out of that role. I had conversations with my manager (who is wonderful, by the way) and she challenged me on a few points.
First, she pointed out that no one gets promoted simply due to the length of time they have been in their current position. I realized this when recalling stories I had heard from the IT providers my department helps train and educate. A few of them told how some employees expected raises and new titles without earning them. These bosses would instead provide them with growth paths to follow. If an employee obtained certain certifications and proved themselves to be hard workers, then they would obtain that new role. I applied that to myself and found places online to learn new skills and increase my knowledge to take on more responsibility.
Second, my manager pointed out the in order for me to move into new responsibilities, I would need to document all of my current tasks. Process documentation is something we strongly urge our IT professionals to adapt in their companies. So, I followed the advice we give and got to work learning a new software. I spent many hours over many weeks creating clearly written instructions, including screen shots, of everything I had been doing for the past three years. This would enable a new person to step in and take over that role.
Finally, my manager explained that we needed to provide a solid business case for my change in roles. Smart businesses do not hand out promotions on a whim or simply because they like certain employees. They base those decisions on metrics and forecasts. Again, I followed this advice and documented the tasks a new person would take over from me and the new responsibilities I would take on, including some that a higher-ranking coworker was currently handling—freeing that person up to do even more in their role.
My manager presented this to our department’s VP, who agreed I had earned this step up. However, our company had hunkered down and was by that time stingy with promotions and pay raises. My manager fought long and hard, continuing to push against the resistance from higher levels. When it came time for quarterly reviews, she gave me a higher ranking than any of my colleagues, which honestly shocked me! And she didn’t stop fighting until I got that promotion. I am beyond grateful for all she did for me.
In life, we start out at the bottom spiritually. We long to do better, to be better, but on our own we cannot change. That’s why God sent His Son. He offers us a new perspective (the mind of Christ – I Corinthians 2:16b), a new position (seated in heavenly places – Ephesians 2:6), and new authority (over all the works of the enemy – Luke 10:19, John 14:12). In Christ, we receive all that as a gift! We don’t have to work for it, fight for it, or get our manager’s approval! So, embrace your new position in Christ. You have been promoted!
