Promotion cycles are not performance reviews.
Performance reviews ask if you're good at this job. Promotion decisions ask if they can picture you in the next one. Here's how to answer the second question, and check you actually want it.
Two different questions
Performance Review
Are you good at the job you're doing right now?
Looks backwards. Measures delivery.
Promotion Decision
Can they picture you doing the next job?
Looks forwards. Measures judgement under uncertainty.
Looks backwards. Measures delivery.
Is this you?
Glowing feedback, then "maybe next year"
You've never actually told anyone you want it
Chasing it to prove something, not because you want the job
What's inside?
The 4 things decision-makers actually weigh: judgement, visibility, scope, trust under pressure
The Next Level Self-Audit, with scoring
A word-for-word promotion conversation script
The "would my life be better, or just more impressive?" check
Most people prepare for the job interview. Almost no one prepares for the promotion conversation.
About Victoria
Former Financial Services Director. ICF PCC coach. Accredited mediator.
25+ years in talent development, watching good people get overlooked for jobs they'd already outgrown their way into.
I write guides for the conversations no one teaches you to have.