The unwritten expectations behind promotion decisions, in a market where the average promotion rate is a brutally selective 4%.
Doing good work is necessary for a promotion but rarely sufficient on its own — visibility, timing, and unwritten expectations usually matter just as much, especially in a 2026 market where the average promotion rate sits around 4%. This guide covers what actually moves the needle.
Inside: the unwritten expectations that separate promoted employees from equally hard-working ones, having a direct conversation with your manager about your actual timeline instead of assuming they know your goals, positioning yourself for the next level well before the opportunity opens up, and building the specific, documented case leadership needs to say yes.
Includes 6 fill-in worksheets and self-assessments (print version), AI-powered prompts at the end of every chapter, and clickable links to Claude and ChatGPT in the digital version. Available in print (8.5×11, binder-ready) and digital (6×9, phone-optimized) formats. Instant download after purchase.
The unwritten expectations behind promotion decisions, in a market where the average promotion rate is a brutally selective 4%.