So if you've ever entertained the thought of how to get promoted -- or, at least, how to impress your boss -- we've identified a few things every boss would love to see you doing. At HubSpot, we've been known to "fire" our best people. Here's how it works: If you have a great idea -- and you can prove that it actually delivers -- you will be fired from your day job to own and grow that idea. Think like a founder, and your boss will take note. Adam Grant, author of Give and Take: A Revolutionary Approach to Success, also has something to say about it: The more I help out, the more successful I become. That's why supervisors love to see employees who not only measure their efforts but also report on them. Prove not that you're working, but that what you are doing is working." Not a situation you’d want to be caught in with your boss, right? That's one reason why it can be so helpful to welcome third-party feedback when we need to know what we're missing -- like when you've worked on a long-term project, and you start to see any progress through rose-colored glasses. Note to Self: Keep On and Smile On Research like the study cited above taps into the idea that success can correlate with an ability to stay positive, even when completing overwhelming tasks.
I once made a really big hiring mistake.
After a series of promising interviews, I took on an intern whose level of professionalism, performance, and overall demeanor quickly took a turn for the worse. I discussed it with my supervisor, we agreed that it was in everyone’s best interests not to move forward with the internship.
However, when we sat her down to talk, she countered our concerns about her performance by saying, “But … I was driving all the way from [insert desolate location here] to get here every day.”
I recall staring at her blankly. Since when does the length of your commute warrant special praise?
We all wake up every morning, brush our teeth (hopefully), and make our way to work. However, the simple truth is that the act of “showing up” isn’t enough to propel career advancement. The most successful people earn the attention and respect of their bosses by proving they’re an asset to the team. So if you’ve ever entertained the thought of how to get promoted — or, at least, how to impress your boss — we’ve identified a few things every boss would love to see you doing.
How to Get Promoted With 7 Great Behaviors
1) Take ownership.
At HubSpot, we’ve been known to “fire” our best people.
No, that wasn’t a typo.
Here’s how it works: If you have a great idea — and you can prove that it actually delivers — you will be fired from your day job to own and grow that idea. After all, that’s what happened to HubSpot’s former VP of Sales, Pete Caputa. The story goes, according to CEO Brian Halligan speaking to Inc:
In 2008, one of our sales reps came to me with an idea that he believed could revolutionize HubSpot. At the time, we sold our software directly to consumers. But the rep, Pete Caputa, thought HubSpot should have a reseller channel in order to expand the business model. Basically, he wanted to sell our core product to third parties, who would then turn around and sell the product to their customers.”
Halligan was far from sold on the idea, but he decided to give Caputa an opportunity to prove himself. “If you want to do it so bad, start doing it nights and weekends and show us this will work,” he said.
Not long after accepting the challenge, Caputa was, in fact, encouraged to leave his day job here to grow what is now HubSpot’s Agency Partner Program.
Our point: Don’t be afraid to bring big ideas to the table. That’s the type of behavior that good bosses love to see because it illustrates your ability to solve problems for the business (and customers) on a high level. And while it’s easy to solve problems that specifically pertain to you and your reports, the goal is to identify and solve problems that influence the grand scheme of things. Think like a founder, and your boss will take note.
2) Support your colleagues.
Depending on your industry, getting ahead at work might sometimes feel like a dog-eat-dog type of situation. And while the old saying goes, “Nice guys finish last,” there is actually an opportunity for self-advancement through the act of helping others. Not to mention, if your boss catches you in the act, it can highlight your ability to be remarkably helpful: a trait almost every good boss cares about.
But don’t just take it from me. Adam Grant, author of Give and Take: A Revolutionary Approach to Success, also has something to say about it:
The more I help out, the more successful I become. But I measure success in what it has done for the people around me. That is the real accolade.”
In this book, Grant dives into the idea that in the workplace, people can be divided into three categories: takers, matchers, and givers.
- Takers are known to, well, take from other people.
- Matchers are more apt to make even exchanges.
- Givers separate themselves from the rest by doing good without expectations for reciprocation.
Grant goes on to provide examples of successful givers throughout history, such as U.S. President Abraham Lincoln, venture capitalist David Hornik, and businessman Jon Huntsman, Sr. So do yourself a favor and dig into their accomplishments a bit — we have a hunch that it’ll inspire you to rethink the potential benefits of lending a helping hand.
3) Measure and report.
Not long ago, I swore I saw a notable actor from the TV show “Lost” on my flight.
I excitedly texted my friend to tell him, to which he replied, “Send pictures, or it didn’t happen.”
That request got me thinking about our innate desire to “see it to believe it.” If my own friend wouldn’t believe my claims without photo evidence, why would my boss simply take my word for it when it comes time to talk about my performance?
The simple truth: Most bosses are busy, leaving little time for them to investigate whether or not you’re accomplishing what you’re supposed to be accomplishing. If you’re not vocal (and visual) about your performance, you run the risk of going unnoticed. That’s why supervisors love to see employees who not only measure their efforts but also report on them. Clear, specific, goal-oriented reports serve as one of the most effective ways to communicate your progress and prove to your…
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