It’s a familiar scenario. I get a phone call from a woman seeking advice because she’s tired of being overlooked and passed over for promotions. She feels stuck and powerless.
Since I started my coaching practice in 2007, I’ve heard countless stories of frustration from ambitious professional women who have a strong work ethic and excellent performance but can’t figure out what more they need to do to get promoted.
“Why can’t I get ahead?”
“It must be sexism.”
“It must be my manager who doesn’t advocate for me.”
“It must be the culture.”
“I must be too young.”
“Am I too old?”
Certainly, there are many workplace obstacles for women and valid reasons to explain why women aren’t getting ahead.
But here’s the reality: We still haven’t accepted the fact that it takes more than our hard work and great performance to get promoted. It also takes political savvy.
And the more you continue to believe in a meritocracy, the longer you will stay stuck.
As much as you’d like to think that there’s a level playing field and everyone will be judged by the same standards, you have to face reality, and let go of the old meritocracy myth. Relying on that belief only perpetuates your inability to advance.
I learned the hard way.
Read the full article on Substack.com.
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