Managers put up walls for you to break through

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One tactic I find commonly used in the workplace by the most experienced managers is to set up scenarios where their subordinates are tested.  Managers who have high confidence in certain individuals, or are who are wondering what workload they can handle will use this tactic, especially if pressure has been applied to them from above.  I call this concept “the wall”, just like any other wall that is a challenge to pick through or get around, in management the wall is a test to see if individuals have what it takes to break through it.

These walls are obstacles and opportunities for you in the workplace and are the only way you can truly learn and “break on through to the otherside” or be promoted.  People are promoted because the scope of their jobs and responsibilities have expanded and they have been able to handle it.  In order to do this, you must not only work harder, work smarter, but be strategic in how you handle your new responsibilities.

What this means for your Personal Brand:

  1.  A promotion is an increase in your total perceived value
  2. When you are pushed down and pressure is applied, you learn more and knowledge is power
  3. Your boss will have more confidence in you, causing your credibility to increase
  4. You will be given more important projects, which will boost your resume
  5. Opportunities may be created for you to network cross-functionally

Either way, you must seize this opportunity by displaying professionalism, competency and having a positive attitude.  You should want your manager to keep putting up walls, so you get stronger and stronger and your brand thrives in the process!

Picture of Dan Schawbel

Dan Schawbel

Dan Schawbel is the Managing Partner of Millennial Branding, a Gen Y research and consulting firm. He is the New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of Promote Yourself: The New Rules For Career Success (St. Martin’s Press) and the #1 international bestselling book, Me 2.0: 4 Steps to Building Your Future (Kaplan Publishing), which combined have been translated into 15 languages.

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