Blocked, Not Beaten

Sometimes you are performing at the next level but the promotion still does not come. Budget freezes, headcount limits, or restructuring block even deserving candidates. It is frustrating, but common — and how you respond is what separates a stalled career from one that keeps compounding.

Timing matters more than most people realize. The worst time to ask is during your annual review — decisions are already drafted by then. The best time is three to six months earlier, when managers are shaping headcount.