The Follow-Through

Debrief within 24 hours, while the conversation is still sharp. Write down what your manager said, any hesitation you sensed, and every concern they raised.

If the answer was yes, confirm the timeline and next steps in writing. If it was "not yet," build a 30-day plan that tackles each gap head-on.

Then email a one-paragraph summary of what you agreed: the timeline, the next milestone, what you own. People rarely lose a promotion on the pitch — they lose it when a vague promise quietly erodes over three busy weeks. A written record keeps it from fading.