As a leader, one of your most important roles is fostering the growth and development of your team, and, in particular, helping your high performers secure promotions.  Not only does this advance their careers but it also strengthens your team and contributes to you and your organisation’s success. But how can you best support your team members on this journey? Here’s a 6 step approach to getting them promoted.

1. Ensure they master the basics

The first step is ensuring your team members excel in their current roles. Are they consistently meeting or exceeding their objectives? Review their performance metrics — whether that’s hitting sales targets, managing billable hours, or maintaining high-quality deliverables. Provide clarity on what success looks like in their role and align their efforts with both formal goals and informal expectations.

Help them identify gaps by referencing tools like capabilities matrices if your organization has them. These can highlight technical and interpersonal skills needed for the next step. By focusing on the fundamentals, you set the foundation for their success.

2. Foster self-awareness

Self-awareness is key to professional growth. Encourage your team members to reflect on their strengths, weaknesses, and blind spots. Provide constructive feedback, not only on their achievements but also on areas where they can improve.

Help them develop emotional intelligence and decision-making skills by guiding them to seek feedback regularly from peers and stakeholders. This builds maturity and confidence, positioning them as thoughtful and reflective professionals—qualities that stand out in promotion decisions.

3. Develop leadership potential now

Leadership readiness is often the deciding factor in promotions. Introduce your team members to leadership models, such as the Leader Compass, which emphasises four dimensions: Self, Team, Client, and Organisation. Encourage them to lead projects, mentor others, and demonstrate ownership of their responsibilities. Show them how to think strategically and contribute beyond their immediate tasks.

4. Build their internal network

No one gets promoted alone. Guide your team to build relationships across the organization, from peers to senior leaders. Encourage participation in cross-functional projects, company events, and networking opportunities. Strong internal connections will ensure their name is positively mentioned in key promotion discussions.

5. Don’t forget your clients!

Encourage your team to work hard at all client relationships, be that internal and external, and to leverage all positive feedback. Make sure their successes are visible by sharing client testimonials with leadership. Positive client advocacy strengthens their case for promotion and highlights their contributions to the organization’s success.

6. Help them craft their brand

Finally, personal branding is crucial. Support your team in developing a strong, consistent reputation aligned with the company’s values. Encourage them to take initiative, collaborate effectively, and make their achievements known. A well-communicated brand ensures decision-makers see their alignment with organizational goals and their readiness for leadership.

By following these 6 steps, you can position your team for success, helping them grow professionally while contributing to the long-term success of your organisation.