Plant the Seed Early

After a visible win, plant a seed: "I am proud of how this landed. I would love to discuss my growth trajectory soon." You ride the momentum without looking transactional, because a fresh win is still on everyone's mind. This plants the idea; the dedicated meeting makes the case.

Use the seed to ask one low-pressure calibration question: "What would make me promotion-ready from your view?" The answer gives an early signal before the formal ask and turns vague ambition into a visible development track.