Insider: The Promoted Path

Abstract

We start our path discussion with promotions, which refers to those who move up within an organization, a path that may seem familiar to many of our readers. The opportunities abound for a leader who has grown up in the organization, and she can be a true ambassador of the cultures she has experienced. Such leaders can also use and build on the relationships and record of service that they have developed over time, as well as taking advantage of the organization’s developmental opportunities. Challenges exist as well; promoted leaders must learn to manage their former peers, gear themselves for pushing needed change, and adapt to their new role. Some promoted leaders may find themselves breaking through ceilings that formerly limited people of historically disadvantaged categories, although this is not limited to this path.