If one morning I walked on top of the water across the Potomac River, the headline that afternoon would read, “President Can’t Swim”. (Johnson)
True story: She can’t get a promotion. Not even a bigger title. The “Good Old Boys” all admit she is doing a great job. She saves the company literally 5 to 50 times her salary every year. She will never be promoted. It is because she is a woman. I know her. I know her company. There is no way up. Even shooting her boss will only get a different man promoted ahead of her.
She can make her own life a living hell by suing the company. She will lose even if she wins. They would figure out a reason to fire her in a few years and then she would have a hard time finding a job.
There are two ways to deal with a glass ceiling.
- Go around it.
- Get a new job.
1. Go around it
To go around the glass ceiling you need a mentor. It is doubtful that your own boss will really help since he isn’t helping you now. Invite someone 2 or 3 levels above you to lunch. At lunch, don’t condemn your boss. Ask for help to grow. Write down the advice you get. Set up an appointment to have lunch again in 3 to 6 months. Go over your progress with the person. Report on how you have improved.
Scared? Do you have to go to the owner, CEO or chairman of the board? Do it anyway. What have you got to lose? You may be surprised that the person that far above you really wants to help winners like you succeed. And if they refuse to help, try method 2.
2. Get a new job
Keep your old job as you search for a new one. Chronicle your accomplishments in a job journal. Report to your boss every week on your progress at work even if he doesn’t want to see it. Take the reports and put your greatest accomplishments in your resume.
Network, contact recruiters, apply to good jobs at good companies. Set criteria for moving and when you find the job, move.
Something To Do Today
Seriously ask yourself, “Why haven’t I been promoted this week? Why haven’t I gotten a raise or a bonus this week?”
Now write down in your job journal what you can do to get a promotion, raise or bonus as quickly as possible.
Will that make you happy? Is that what you really want? If yes, go do it. If no, better figure out what you really should be doing. There is no time like the present to change your life. You get to be happier longer if you change today.