DISCUSSIONS

My boss gave me a new title and promised me my director level promotion would take place this year 7 months ago.

Anonymous Image

Anonymous

Welcome to Fairygodboss!

We’re the largest online career community helping women achieve their career goals. Gain access to articles, jobs, events, and a supportive network of women and allies. Membership is free, always.

My boss gave me a new title and promised me my director level promotion would take place this year 7 months ago. I have already been in the role for over year. This week I was shocked when he told me the promotion was not going to be approved no matter what I do (despite our prior conversations). The reasons he gave me was because there’s not enough evidence that I can think strategically although I’m good at execution.

He is now telling me that higher ups don’t view the role as a role ( one that would allow me to think strategically). The exact same roles in other divisions are all director level and have a merger book of work then them. This was never brought to my attention before last week.

He now wants to work with me to make this happen the following year. He wants me to give a presentation on my achievements to the leadership team members and how I’ve made a difference but why would I even bother doing this after he told me I’m not getting the promotion this year after I already accepted the role and additional responsibilities. He’s trying to tell me I can get promoted in 18 months from now. It seems they lack an understanding in what the role requires. My boss is fairly new to the firm and is young. I don’t think he has ever promoted anyone before. He told me at mid year the role would not be advertised for others to apply to and I got the job. Now new reasons are being raised that I’m hearing for the first time (I.e issues with my communication style and not engaging people in meetings I host). This is the 2nd time I’m being passed over but now with a different manager. Do I leave or stay? The culture is getting bad. I just want my bonus at year end to be secured so I’m aware I need to play nice till then. I want to do the right thing and do my best. I know my worth and this doesn’t sit well with me. Any advice? Does this sound like I will never get promoted? Should I even bother with the presentation to the leadership team if they don’t even see the role as a Director level role?

Why women love us:

  • Daily articles on career topics
  • Jobs at companies dedicated to hiring more women
  • Advice and support from an authentic community
  • Events that help you level up in your career
  • Free membership, always

Like

12 comments

Share

Share your insight

Join an authentic community that helps women support each other at work. Share your professional experience or ask for advice — you can even post anonymously.

12 Comments

Join the conversation
  1. Anonymous

    Find a friend who can be very honest with you and have them review what you have done and said on this job. Let them read your reviews and then tell you what they see. We are often blind to how we present our selves to the world and miss very direct language that we may gloss over or misinterpret. Then plan the presentation to the directors and knock their socks off. Finally start looking for a new job that will start after you receive your bonus. Good luck.

  2. Anonymous

    I’m in a very similar boat in that more than one of my bosses have dangled a director level role in front of me as a way to take on more work, just to tell me a few months later it can’t happen—for reasons that seem contradictory and invalid. My opinion is they’ve shown you what they think of you and how they value you. I would do what you have to do while you look for a new role.

  3. Anonymous

    Ask for feedback. Giving and receiving balanced feedback is essential for growth and development. It is best practice to ask for or send feedback at the end of a project or work assignment from/to your colleagues while information is still fresh in mind. At my company we use the Workday app and can request feedback from anyone on our team or outside of our team. Hopefully, your company uses something like that. Reach out to your peers or project partners and ask specific questions - Here is an option on how to ask when you reach out...

    I’d really appreciate any feedback you might have on my communication style—especially in meetings I host. I’ve been reflecting on how I engage participants and whether I’m creating space for dialogue and clarity. If there are areas where I could improve or adjust my approach, I’d love your perspective.

  4. Anonymous

    The workday app is nice - I am really glad you have a positive experience using it. - But most in our company do not trust how the results are used. It is hard to get most people to provide feedback. The person asking is a bit afraid as it is felt the feedback will be used against you. The person who is giving feedback doesn't feel comfortable with saying anything negative or perceived as negative for fear of confrontation, etc.

  5. Anonymous

    It sounds like they are NOW performing leadership development for you to move forward. To me, it appears the left hand was not aware of what the right hand wanted and tried to do what was right and learned he spoke to soon. Is the job that bad to follow up on what they are asking? Seems they want proof you can improve on the skills you are lacking in yet are needed. I see this happen a lot in companies that are growing fast and exhibit growing pains, such as this.

    I do not think it is off the table, but they have realized what skills you need to improve on or show you can achieve. Sounds like the new manager needs to get with their bosses to understand the company and their leadership development process.

    Give it some time, follow the process and see what happens. it is not an easy time to find a new job so you can always be looking while moving on the forward path they seem to be presenting you.

  6. Anonymous

    Get out. Put your energy somewhere where you're valued.

  7. Anonymous

    It's pretty clear that no one is supporting you growth so no I doubt you will be promoted. But hang in there for your bonus and start laying the ground work to look for your next job opportunity. Get your resume in shape, work on getting any missing certificates, classes and new training you may need to land your new job. This is your chance to think strategically for your own benefit. Line things up over the next 3 or 4 months. Research roles, titles and companies that fit your strategy.

  8. Anonymous

    Stay employed and try to play their game - yes game - that is exactly what it is. Similar boat here, they want to change my job title last year to XXX Manager but gave others SR XXX Manager. When I asked why I wasn't being considered a SR the response was that I don't have as much experience or seen to have as much experience as the others. I fought it and showed what I had in my current company as well as what i did in another position with the company and 2 other companies. I even asked for a job description of the XXX Manager and the SR XXX Manager role so I could see how to grow. Nothing happened except they did not change my title, did not provide job descriptions and did not help me understand how to grow. Fast forward a year and my job title changed in the system to XXX Manager but no one told me. no job description is available for this position or the SR position. I found out about a month later by accident of the job title change. When I asked my boss, the comment was oh I forgot, that was my bad. I again asked about why not SR and why I have not been provided a job description and a career development plan. I have been with this company for 20 years - there is no career development plan and as a friend told me - they have you you - you are going anywhere with this job market as it stinks, and you have too much knowledge/experience and you clean up everyone else's messes very well. Why would they want to make you a SR XXX manager and have you take on new things and loose your skill of being able to keep your boss looking good and out of trouble. They have old reliable right where they want you.

  9. Celena Barton

    This is more common than you think. In today’s economic environment, it’s hard to justify promotions, especially when they come with pay raises. It’s an employer market right now so they are banking on you staying put for lack of outside opportunities. Stay put for your year end bonus but start looking if you are unhappy.

  10. Anonymous

    ???why would I even bother doing this? Well frankly because you should. If you read your own post you are getting feedback. This is not something you should ignore. Strategic work is something that actually helps and changes the entire organization not something that you just do in execution. Please take what you are hearing to heart. Let this new manager guide you into the path of being more strategic and use the highers up as well to ask for help to show you how you can change your work to suit moving up. Don't focus on the title so much as it is harming your thinking about what you deserve in any role. Stay the course. Use what you learn to move up within this organization during this next phase and if/when it comes then you can use the move to consider other companies. No one will give you that title unless you are proven. Think of this learning experience as a way to grow YOU not them. It matters!

  11. Anonymous

    Agreed I should because it’s the right thing to do and I’ve decided to do it. I have no issue with getting the feedback, I actually appreciate the direct feedback. My issue is the way in which it was presented and the timing. Nobody should be surprised at year end. Open dialogue between a manager and the employee is essential to building trust. This is where I struggle. The trust is gone and I don’t want to work for a company that doesn’t align with my morals and values. So I’m just supposed to ignore this treatment and move on? I think not. I have proven myself for years and I shouldn’t have to be jumping through these hurdles. I know my worth!

  12. Anonymous

    Nope. Play the game while you look for something else. I promise you that they will keep moving the goal post.

Browse recent posts

jljl3ph
Plan construction projects with the Concrete Calculator, a practical online tool for estimating material quantities, calculating concrete requirements, managing costs, and simplifying building work.
Hiii everyone!
I'm. Current looking for remote jobs
Your trusted partner for a cleaner, healthier home in Los Angeles, California. At Quick Clean Carpet Care, we've been providing top-notch carpet cleaning, upholstery cleaning, pet accident treatment, hard floor cleaning, rug cleaning, window cleaning, and house washing services for over 9 years. Our team of experts uses eco-friendly solutions and state-of-the-art equipment to leave your home sparkling clean and germ-free. From stain removal to deep cleaning, we've got you covered. Serving Los Angeles and surrounding areas, we're committed to delivering exceptional customer service and unparalleled results. Call us today to schedule your appointment and experience the Quick Clean difference!
Your trusted partner for a cleaner, healthier home in Los Angeles, California. At Quick Clean Carpet Care, we've been providing top-notch carpet cleaning, upholstery cleaning, pet accident treatment, hard floor cleaning, rug cleaning, window cleaning, and house washing services for over 9 years. Our team of experts uses eco-friendly solutions and state-of-the-art equipment to leave your home sparkling clean and germ-free. From stain removal to deep cleaning, we've got you covered. Serving Los Angeles and surrounding areas, we're committed to delivering exceptional customer service and unparalleled results. Call us today to schedule your appointment and experience the Quick Clean difference!
See more
Fairygodboss VIP
Achieve your career goals.
Be part of the largest online career community for women to find jobs, advice, and support — for free.
Fairygodboss members