Story & Questions: Ask for a Promotion

Asking for a promotion is not the same as asking for a raise. A raise is about compensation. A promotion is about proving you are already operating at the next level - and making it easy for your manager to advocate for you.

The coach has been on both sides of this table - as the manager deciding who gets promoted and as the coach preparing people to make the case. The framework is Impact → Readiness → Ask. First, present specific results that are above your current level - not responsibilities, outcomes. Then demonstrate readiness: where have you already been doing the work of the next level? Leading without the title? Mentoring? Solving problems above your pay grade? Finally, make a clear, confident ask: the title you want, and the question "What would need to be true for that to happen?"

In this session the coach will roleplay your manager - including the vague answers, the budget objections, and the "let us revisit" deflections. You will practice presenting your evidence, handling pushback without getting emotional, and leaving the conversation with either a yes or a clear, specific path to get there.