Apparently I've been promoted by mistake all these years
A few years ago,
this posting on the secret to getting promoted caught my eye.
After several years at Microsoft,
I had an epiphany today.
I came to the realization that the best way,
rather the only way -- to get promoted is to demonstrate
the ability to hire and retain top talent.
Other factors do go a long way but without the ability to hire,
you are going to reach your glass ceiling sooner than you think.
I have done absolutely nothing to demonstrate this ability,
and if I managed to hire or retain anybody, it was purely by accident
and for that I apologize.
As far as I'm aware,
I've never done anything listed in the article
as "the only way" to get promoted.
I must have been promoted by mistake.
(And I suspect
Mini-Microsoft
might have a thing or two to say to the claim that the only way to
get a promotion at Microsoft is to hire, hire, hire.)
Yes, I know that the phrase "the only way" was written for rhetorical
effect and is not to be taken literally.
I'm making a joke, people!
And as it so happens, I also took the text out of context.
The target audience for the remarks was senior management,
not dorky programmer types like me.
So, strike two.
Aftermath:
After reading this entry
in my "upcoming entries" blog queue
accessible only to Microsoft employees,
a fellow employee emailed me to say that this Web site was
a factor in deciding to come to Microsoft,
so my claim that I have done absolutely nothing is incorrect.
I wrote back, "Well, maybe so, but it's also the case that I haven't
been promoted since you were hired."
The response: "I guess I must not be top talent."
