The Politics of Promotion. Marcus Bonnie

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      Bonnie Marcus

      The Politics of Promotion

Praise for The Politics of Promotion

      “More than a ‘rah rah’ motivational treatise, The Politics of Promotion sends a strong message that we must work hard AND be smart as women in today’s organizations. I found women’s leadership guru Bonnie Marcus’s blend of personal experience, relevant examples, and applicable tools to be a goldmine. Her strategic networking templates alone are worth the price of the book. A meaty great read for all women and those who support them.”

– Jennifer B. Kahnweiler,PhD, CSP, author of Quiet Influenceand The Introverted Leader

      “The Politics of Promotion is packed with practical knowledge every woman needs in clear, engaging, and actionable language. Marcus outlines a proven method for women to navigate the complexities of the workplace and get the promotions they deserve.”

– Gloria Feldt,cofounder and President,Take the Lead; and author of No Excuses

      “Women tend to perceive office politics as something distasteful. The Politics of Promotion is a very helpful book for individuals needing to better understand and embrace the importance of company politics, not only as a critical part of career advancement, but also as a more effective way to successfully carry out your daily job responsibilities. Bonnie Marcus’s research demonstrates how being political savvy allows you to build important relationships with critical stakeholders who may be able to support, mentor, and promote you. Reading this book will help you to learn how to navigate across an organization to achieve your career and business goals by working with and through others.”

– Alexandra Glucksmann,COO, Editas Medicine

      “Women are graduating from college and entering the workforce ill prepared to navigate their new environment. Putting your head down and achieving great results works in school, but being successful in your career requires more. Bonnie Marcus has nailed the missing piece: political savvy. The Politics of Promotion should be required reading for all college graduates.”

– Tiffany Dufu,Chief Leadership Officer,The Levo League

      “Women regularly think that doing a great job ensures promotion – I used to think so, too. Instead, we know from data and personal experience that performance excellence means, at most, that you might be considered; actually securing the promotion requires a great deal more. Bonnie Marcus has seen how this plays across multiple disciplines and industries, and is full of insight and advice that will put women in a far stronger position to understand how to create the opportunities their talent demands. Her tough love acknowledges injustice, but her tough thinking is what promises success.”

– Margaret Heffernan,author of Willful Blindness and A Bigger Prize

      “Until genuine meritocracy becomes the norm, women will continue to face subtle bias and double standards. They will be greatly helped in navigating the traps and blind alleys of organizational life by the career advice that Bonnie Marcus offers in this readable book. Bonnie reframes the ‘dirty’ words of politics, networking, and self-promotion as necessary leadership skills that can achieve all-round benefits when exercised thoughtfully. Ambitious readers will feel better equipped to go for the leadership prize.”

– Alison Maitland,coauthor of Future Work andWhy Women Mean Business

      “Bonnie Marcus shares from her experience on how to get the recognition and rewards you deserve for your work by managing the interpersonal dynamics of the workplace. Politics is inherent in all human relationships. The Politics of Promotion will teach you how to interact professionally and get promoted while staying true to yourself.”

– Marilyn Tam,author of The Happiness Choice

       The Politics of Promotion

      How High-Achieving Women Get Ahead and Stay Ahead

      Bonnie Marcus

      Cover design: Susan Olinsky

      Copyright © 2015 by Bonnie Marcus. All rights reserved.

      Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc., Hoboken, New Jersey.

      Published simultaneously in Canada.

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      ISBN 9781118997420 (cloth)

      ISBN 9781118997123 (ePDF)

      ISBN 9781118997468 (ePub)

      Dedication

With love to my children,Abby and Tim

      Introduction

      You work really hard. You have what it takes to do a good job. All your skills and education have prepared you to have a successful career. You are passionate about what you do. You enjoy your colleagues, and you invest a great deal of time and energy into every project to make sure it's perfect.

      Perhaps you have been recognized for your top performance. You think you are well on your way to getting a promotion. There is a new opportunity to move up. It would mean more compensation and more responsibility, and you are ready to take it on. You apply for the position. You know you are qualified, maybe even overqualified, and you are confident that the job will be yours. And then the bottom falls out. Someone else is chosen over you, and that person isn't nearly as qualified as you are! You are frustrated and angry. You feel betrayed. Wow! You didn't see it coming.

      What happened? Politics!

      Workplaces are highly political environments where decisions about who gets ahead, who gets more compensation, and who gets access to scarce resources are not based on performance alone.