How do promotions really work?
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The Unwritten Rule: What do companies most often promote people for?
Being great at their current job, even if the next one needs different skills. A study of sales firms found top sellers were the most likely to be promoted to manager but often became worse managers. That's the Peter principle with data. Source: Benson, Li & Shue – Promotions and the Peter Principle (QJE, 2019)
Who Decides: Who decides in a typical big company?
A group of managers in a calibration or promotion committee. Your manager advocates, but a committee compares cases across teams. Source: Wikipedia – Performance appraisal
How to Play It: What's the smart move?
Give your manager written evidence they can argue with. Managers defend you in rooms you're not in. A clear summary of impact makes their case easy. Source: Wikipedia – Performance appraisal