[changdizzle]

Most of the responses here are from developers but from a more business perspective, I find this article somewhat flawed. Regarding "It Would Take a Big Event for You to Get Promoted," the author says "For example, say your boss has been in her position for five years, and her boss has been in his position for seven—and they both seem very comfortable where they are. That means, in order for you to move up, something would have to entice one of those big wigs out of his or her position. "

A good manager should be able to promote and advance their employee if they're adding significant value even if it doesn't mean taking the manager's position.

[hcarvalhoalves]

> A good manager should be able to promote and advance their employee if they're adding significant value even if it doesn't mean taking the manager's position.

Do we live in the same world?

I've never seen a manager promote anyone based on performance, this is even irrational (if it's doing a good job with the current salary, leave at it). If you're too valuable to a company, chances are your manager is looking at ways to not be dependent on you rather than luring you in staying with a promotion.

The only time I see employees promoted, it's for political reasons (e.g., a manager promoting someone he can control between himself and some employee he can't deal with).

[mturmon]

You're making it seem inevitable that valuable people will be held back in stale roles. Things don't have to be this way, although I have heard of places where they are.

In other firms, new tasks come along and they need good people to lead them. People who have developed a smaller system that is now in maintenance mode are a perfect candidate. And that is how you advance.