Use the Power of the Back Burner

Avoid the trap of idleness. Keep your funnel full, and always keep something on the back burner.

Welcome, Avatar!

"Always keep something on the back burner."

It sounds like some boomer wisdom or out of a cooking show.

But, there is a true kernel there that can unlock your success.

This post gets into a couple examples personal and in those I've mentored of how this principle can play out in your favor. Buckle up.

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Ask Until They Leak

As mentioned in previous posts, you always need to be pushing for promo. Outside of a quarter or two probation when you first join a company or get your promo, you should always be raising the conversation slowly but surely with your manager.

They need to know you're "ambitious", a "rising star".

You need to know what gaps there are left to fill.

And more importantly, you need multiple conversations to catch your manager slipping up and revealing secrets they shouldn't.

What do I mean?

Well, one time I was pushing my manager on a big promotion, the jump to that level was significant, ambiguous given the HR criteria, and he had never promoted anyone to that level before so he was nervous.

I pressed him on it one meeting and like most people, he started saying things he shouldn't just to avoid an awkward lull in the conversation or saying no outright.