The Promotion Dilemma: When to Wait, Push, or Pivot.

Let’s face it—most of us spend plenty of time daydreaming about our career goals. Maybe you’re visualizing that corner office or the satisfying ring of your new job title. But here’s the million-dollar question: who actually decides when you’re ready for that next step? Buckle up, because the answer isn’t as straightforward as you might think.

Professionals climbing up and down stairs

The Tale of Joe: When “Not Ready” Doesn’t Add Up

Joe was the guy. As an Assistant Vice President, he crushed his responsibilities, led his team to victory (cue the motivational speeches), and even volunteered for extra projects outside his scope. Basically, he was the human embodiment of a LinkedIn success post.

Joe made his aspirations clear: “I would like to be Vice President.” But his leader, while polite, was a broken record: You're not quite ready yet.

When Joe asked what “ready” looked like, he got… crickets. No direction. No development plan. Just a vague “we’ll see” that made him feel like he was waiting for the promotion fairy.

Frustrated but determined, Joe took matters into his own hands. He compared his current duties to VP job descriptions he found online. And surprise, surprise—he was already doing VP-level work. Armed with receipts, he went back to his leader, hoping for a breakthrough. Instead, the conversation went nowhere faster than a paper airplane in a hurricane.

Finally, Joe started interviewing outside the company and landed a VP role in just a few months. But before he gave notice, he held out for his annual review, letter of resignation in hand, hoping his organization would finally recognize his value. Spoiler: they didn’t.

When his leader once again told him he wasn’t “ready,” Joe slid that resignation letter across the desk and said, “Another company thinks I am. I’m sorry you don’t.” Mic drop.

The Tale of Bob: The Happy Almost-Leader

Bob was also a rockstar, but his story took a different twist. He excelled as an individual contributor and actively worked on his leadership skills. His manager saw his potential and encouraged him to step into a leadership role.

When his manager offered the promotion, Bob surprised everyone: “I need more time to think about it,” he said. Not because he doubted his abilities, but because he wanted to be sure it was the right move.

Months later, Bob decided leadership wasn’t for him. He realized he loved his current role and didn’t want to trade happiness for a title. His manager respected his decision, and Bob continued to thrive, using his talents to support the team in his own way.

So, Who’s in Charge Here?

When it comes to career moves—whether it’s a promotion, a lateral shift, or even stepping down—the answer is you. But it’s not always that simple:

1. When You Feel Ready but Can’t Get Promoted: If your organization doesn’t see your value, don’t be afraid to test the market. Interviews can be enlightening. If you land the role? Great. If not, maybe some targeted development is in order.

2. When You Turn Down a Promotion: Saying “no” to a step up can feel terrifying, but it’s an act of bravery. Just make sure you can clearly explain your reasoning to your leader. If they don’t respect your decision, well… it might be time to polish that résumé.

3. Lateral Moves: These are underrated! Exploring a new area can broaden your skillset and make you even more marketable in the future. Plus, learning is never wasted.
   

The Honest Truth

At the end of the day, you have to check in with yourself. Are you truly ready for that next big role, or are you at risk of going from rockstar to roadkill? On the flip side, if someone’s telling you you’re not good enough—when you know in your heart you are—it’s time to seek out a place that values you.

Because the only thing worse than being held back is staying stuck.

And remember, your career isn’t a ladder—it’s a jungle gym. Sometimes, the best moves aren’t up but sideways or even back to the ground to regroup. Whatever your path, make sure it’s one that makes you feel valued and fulfilled. After all, who else is going to write your success story but you?