Postured For Promotion: The Hand of the Diligent

Many people desire promotion. They find themselves in a place of waiting, discontentedly, to be elevated from their current status. They become embittered as they look around and see others advancing while they remain in the same place. Although I acknowledge that instances of favoritism and partiality can and do exist, they are not always the contributing factors that dictate this delay in promotion. Honestly, if we are willing to subject this concern to a certain degree of scrutiny, we will find that we are often a component in our own delay of progress and advancement. 

Within the leadership roles that I have had the privilege to occupy, I would frequently encourage my team with the phrase “lead where you stand”. This expression implied that they should not wait until they were upgraded to a certain position before they began to add value and operate in excellence. Rather, their performance should be administered, in their current station, in such a way that it would attract or allure the consideration for promotion. 

A common issue that I observed was the matter of postponement. Some were waiting until their status changed before they were willing to add value. The epitome of placing the cart before the horse. There was this idea that once they were elevated, the justification for the promotion would then be established. What I conveyed to them was that there is no incentive for promotion with that approach. An employer is going to want to make an informed decision that will benefit the company and if there is nothing to substantiate a

reason for promotion, then why would they proceed? A high percentage of the argument used in defense was summarized in the statement that “they were not getting paid to…” fill in the blank. It is this type of perspective that reveals itself as the culprit for the delay. 

If we reference the parable given by Christ Jesus about the servants that were allocated talents, units of money,  we see that the ones that were productive were the ones who were given more responsibility. The one that was not productive, actually was demoted and what was initially given to him was even taken away and given to the one that produced the most (Matthew 25:14-30). Reward and increased responsibility is preceded by faithfulness and proof of productivity. 

“The hand of the diligent will rule, but the slack hand will be put to forced labor” (Proverbs 12:24)

Being faithful and proficient in your assigned tasks, consistently, will qualify you to be considered for promotion. Simply awaiting promotion to subsequently show your value will not yield results. In truth, it may be a deterrent and your reliability may come into question due to your motive. What employer wants to promote someone whose motives are solely self-servient and only supported by the pursuit of an elevated status? What assurance could be provided that the vertical move in your favor will enhance the team and organization?  Permit me to offer 3 keys to promotion: BE DILIGENT. BE PATIENT. SEEK GUIDANCE.

01 |  Be Diligent

Depending on context, one of the meanings for diligence is sharpness, having the quality to cut or pierce.

Therefore, to be diligent could be described as employing the ability to pierce through the obstacles and challenges in order to make progress and be effective. When consistent effort is employed to accomplish

assignments, it does not go unnoticed. It creates a signal alerting others to open up observation because potential has been unearthed. Conversely, when consistent effort is not employed, there is no cause to observe because there is nothing to trigger the alert. Simply waiting around for an opportunity is pointless and can often lead to disappointment and discouragement. 

02 |  Be Patient

Now some who are reading this may interject and say, “I have been diligent and I have been adding value to no avail”. Please understand that diligence does not negate timing and patience. Where most falter is in the period that we are waiting for our diligence to yield results. A simple yet profound concept is that if you stop moving forward then you will remain where you’re at. Another example is to consider a seed that is planted in a garden. Once the seed is planted, it will need time to develop roots in order to provide stability and become a means to acquire the nutrients necessary to sustain the plant. If the seed is not given the adequate time to do so, then the plant will not be able to sprout. If we are continuously unearthing the seed because we are frustrated that the plant has not sprouted yet, we have become the catalyst in our delay. Timing is everything. There is a popular quote that says, “The WIN is coming, don’t let the WHEN worry you”. 

03 |  Seek Guidance

This key should actually be prioritized first, so pardon the sequence. Diligence without discernment can result in fatigue. This simply means that you can be placing effort and exerting energy into something that you weren’t intended to. So, it is necessary that you seek guidance in your efforts. In seeking guidance, it is essential that you select the right source for your guidance. “For the Lord gives wisdom; From His mouth come knowledge and understanding”(Proverbs 2:6) Embarking on a journey, exploring a new endeavor or even the continuation of your current path can all be beneficiaries of a proven guide and help. The Lord God offers this guidance if we are willing to ask for it and be recipients. 

Minimizing missteps, avoiding vexation and experiencing success are all rewards for receiving proper guidance. Although experience is a great teacher, it does not always have to be your own experience that you are required to learn from. 

Ultimately, exaltation comes from the Lord, but we can position ourselves where we become qualified for the promotion that is available.