False Promises

I took a job with a large regional sporting goods store as unit manager. While I didn’t get it in writing, the hook for the job was that I would be a prime candidate for Regional Manager after I proved my ability to lead stores to success. I brought all my retail and people skills to the job and killed it at my first store. Because I was successful, I was transferred to a “somewhat troubled” store: I improved customer service and merchandising to put us in the top 10 in the region. Then they put me in yet another “poor performing” store. When asked to turnaround a 4th store in less than two years with no promotion, I asked when they thought they would promote me. My boss explained that it took many years to get the position. “Everyone has to prove themselves” and said that a regional manager role is still a few years away for me. So, I quit. 🅰 AVA Advice: It’s a hard choice to stick it out or quit. It’s usually an easier choice if they made promises they aren’t keeping. ❇️A: When interviewing, ask lots of questions and don’t be afraid to ask for specifics. How long do you think it will take before I am promoted? What is typical for moving from unit manager to regional manager? What skills gaps do I have to fill to be promoted? Most importantly, who will make the decision on my promotion when the time comes? And whenever possible, get it in writing. Next time use your successful results – your own power - to speak up and ask about that advancement. With demonstrated success under your belt be bold and ask for what you want. If your boss pushes back, think about their motivations. Your success makes them look good and often they don’t want to give that up. ❇️V: You were super clear on your vision. You worked hard toward it and maybe wasted a year but you gained a lot of experience and good reputation in the industry. Once it was clear that your company/manager was not aligned with your vision, the decision to quit was clear. ❇️A: No doubt you will find another role in the industry. Your own expert power was supercharged! Success gets talked about and you have quantifiable results for your resume. ➡️How about you? Do you have a similar experience? If you want to share your story anonymously, direct message AVA or email us at ava@advancewithava.com