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Networking and career. Growth and social mobility. Resources.
No social mobility? Build your own ladder
How to grow in your career when “growth systems” don’t work
Networking and soft skills. Career growth in large companies.
If you want to grow —
don’t look for rules, look for people.
Sometimes it feels like you’re inside a building with social elevators — everything seems fair: you took the course, put in the years, showed up on time, and now the “promotion” button should light up. But the truth is, it’s not an elevator — it’s a carousel on the same floor. It spins, promising movement, but never takes you higher.
If you want to reach the next level, forget the buttons. You’ll have to find a back entrance, climb the service stairs, knock on windows. Get to know the people who hold the keys. Convince them you’re worth opening the door for.
And those who simply “do a good job” often get stuck in the lobby, politely waiting for someone to press the button for them. But this is a game without buttons. The winners aren’t the most punctual — they’re the most persistent and visible.
If you want to reach the next level, forget the buttons. You’ll have to find a back entrance, climb the service stairs, knock on windows. Get to know the people who hold the keys. Convince them you’re worth opening the door for.
And those who simply “do a good job” often get stuck in the lobby, politely waiting for someone to press the button for them. But this is a game without buttons. The winners aren’t the most punctual — they’re the most persistent and visible.
No elevators — build your own ladder
Don’t wait for someone to “notice” you. Reach out yourself, make offers, help first. In any structure, decisions are made by people — not the system. It’s in your power to become someone others don’t want to lose, someone they invite into new opportunities, someone they recommend for promotion. Who in your network could benefit from your experience right now? Take the first step — a short meeting, a useful link, a helpful tip.
Will you come with me?
Career leaps are not about “passing an evaluation.” They happen when someone calls you and says:
“I’m starting something new. Will you come with me?”
Build a circle of at least five people you’d want to work with in the future — even if you’re at different levels right now. Start with trust. Support them. Let them know what you’re strong at.
“I’m starting something new. Will you come with me?”
Build a circle of at least five people you’d want to work with in the future — even if you’re at different levels right now. Start with trust. Support them. Let them know what you’re strong at.
The distribution of opportunities — and “who will remember you”
Growth is not about “doing a great job.” It’s about who will remember you when opportunities are being handed out.
If you want to be invited, be someone others want to go into battle with. Not a bore. Not silent. Not “I’ll handle everything myself.” Check once a month: who sees you as an ally, and who sees you as just a “task executor.” Share your ideas and wins with your allies. Show that you’re not just executing — you’re building systems.
If you want to be invited, be someone others want to go into battle with. Not a bore. Not silent. Not “I’ll handle everything myself.” Check once a month: who sees you as an ally, and who sees you as just a “task executor.” Share your ideas and wins with your allies. Show that you’re not just executing — you’re building systems.
The desire to grow is not a gift. It’s a trait.
Those who seize opportunities — even when it’s scary, even when no one believes in them — rise the highest. Can’t find a point of growth? Come in from the flank: take on an extra project, get involved with another department, find yourself a mentor — in short, don’t wait for permission.
Want to just “earn and settle down”? Unfortunately, that won’t work.
At every new level, you’ll have to negotiate more, communicate more, and deal with people more. The higher you go, the fewer “clear tasks” there are — and the more politics.
Start practicing now: negotiate within your team, resolve small conflicts, ask for feedback, learn to listen and to be heard. This is your new profession.
Start practicing now: negotiate within your team, resolve small conflicts, ask for feedback, learn to listen and to be heard. This is your new profession.
Persistence is not about loud words.
It’s when you send another email even when no one replies.
It’s when you show up for a meeting, even when nothing is promised.
It’s when you keep going after others have stopped.
Make it a habit: every Monday, send one message that could change your career. Even if 9 out of 10 are ignored — one response can make the difference.
It’s when you show up for a meeting, even when nothing is promised.
It’s when you keep going after others have stopped.
Make it a habit: every Monday, send one message that could change your career. Even if 9 out of 10 are ignored — one response can make the difference.
Live like an explorer.
Нет карты. Есть тропа, которую прокладываешь сам.
Анализируй, где ты сейчас. Где потолок? Что тебя ограничивает? Кто может помочь его пробить? Напиши список. Найди тех, кто уже на следующем уровне — задай вопрос, попроси 15 минут внимания. Люди не отказывают тем, кто уважителен и конкретен.
Анализируй, где ты сейчас. Где потолок? Что тебя ограничивает? Кто может помочь его пробить? Напиши список. Найди тех, кто уже на следующем уровне — задай вопрос, попроси 15 минут внимания. Люди не отказывают тем, кто уважителен и конкретен.
Do something valuable — and the money will follow.
Do something important and valuable for people who are at a higher level than you — and the next floor will open up.
Check yourself: can you clearly explain your value? What problems can you solve for others? If not, start there. And say it out loud. People are not mind readers.
Check yourself: can you clearly explain your value? What problems can you solve for others? If not, start there. And say it out loud. People are not mind readers.
Leonid Bugaev
is an expert in business communications, a corporate trainer, speaker, and conference moderator. He is the author of the books “Mobile Marketing”, “Mobile Networking” and "People Like Me: 99 Rules for Building Connections That Actually Matter."
Follow Leonid on Telegram, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube so you don’t miss new publications. Also take a look at his business training programs on networking, B2B sales and trendwatching, as well as his books and interviews.
Follow Leonid on Telegram, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube so you don’t miss new publications. Also take a look at his business training programs on networking, B2B sales and trendwatching, as well as his books and interviews.
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