Be a squeakier wheel (to your manager)

The dirty secret about management (and life) is that you’re more likely to get stuff if you ask for it. That applies to:

• Promotions
• Raises and bonuses
• High performance ratings
• Leadership roles
• Exciting projects
• Speaking opportunities
• Pretty much everything

Ironically, asking “Can we talk about how I can earn a promotion?” can be the very thing that earns you the promotion. I love when my direct reports tell me what they want. It makes things so much simpler.