3 Things Getting Demoted Taught Me
A true story of pain and resilience
#103
After 11 years, I’ve healed enough to talk about getting demoted.
The letter dated March 28, 2014 read “On behalf of Management, I am pleased to inform you that following your impressive performance, you have been promoted… with effect from April 1, 2014”
I had just been promoted to the next grade barely 2 years into the job.
I had a spring in my step getting to work for the next few days. A newly promoted banker! What could go wrong?
Finally, I was beginning to make my father proud. I was a highflyer… or so I thought.
The office ritual was for the promoted person to “wash” the promotion… essentially, you would buy food & drinks for your colleagues and friends to celebrate your promotion. So, I started making plans. On the menu was small chops from 12 baskets, a popular food vendor. I also spoke with a few colleagues about who to contract the cooking of rice to.
In the middle of our discussion, someone from HR asked to see me. She pulled me aside to inform me that the Head of HR would like to see me the following day.
Double promotion?
Discussions about the expectations of my new grade?
I wasn’t sure how to feel. But being told that I was being demoted was not on the list.
I walked into her office not knowing what to expect and her first question confused me even more.
“When you saw your name on the promotion list that was just released, what came to your mind”
I was blank.
“What do you mean, ma?” I stammered
“Your name was on the promotion list and you didn’t think to report yourself that you did not merit it”?
“It’s a disciplinary issue”, she continued. “While your performance numbers were good, you did not meet the minimum target for deposit mobilization” [This was a project for non-sales people to contribute to deposit mobilization. Each person was given an amount to bring into the bank. You’re expected to meet 50% of your target. I landed at 34%]
I was angry, and disappointed but determined not to show any emotions. My anger was less about the demotion and more about being accused of lacking integrity. The power imbalance meant that I was not going to win this one.
She told me that in her magnanimity, she won’t be taking me to face the bank’s Disciplinary Committee.
The she asked “Do you have any questions”?
“No, ma” I said and walked out of her office.
Few days later, I got another letter with the title “WITHDRAWAL OF PROMOTION” and dated April 7, 2014.
The way I looked at workplace never remained the same again.
Why was I promoted in the first place if you were going to demote me?
The promotion policy of the bank said that you’d have to perform excellently well in 3 or more consecutive appraisal cycles.
I did and they confirmed it in their March 28 letter.
In addition to great performance, your manager will have to recommend you and your head of department would also concur. They both did.
Then the Appraisal Committee (a group of individuals selected from different departments) would review and uphold or decline the recommendations. Finally, the management of the bank would give final approval.
I’d spare you the story of the pain I went through for the next 1 year, 3 months before I got promoted again.
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3 Things Getting Demoted Taught Me
Nobody Owes You a Promotion
or anything else for that matter.
There are 2 ways to get promoted— internally or externally.
With internal promotion, you do a great job, look and act the part and then pray and hope for a promotion. This is the traditional way.
With external promotion, you do a great job and then trade that in for the next level of two with another employer.
Neither is good or bad. They’re just different.
Wisdom lies in knowing when to activate which.
I have made it clear that I am an advocate of frequent job changes— 2/3 years max per employer. That way, you learn and earn more over the long run.
In this post on his 10 Career Lessons, ex-Volvo employee and a dear friend, Funso Okejimi talks about how he sets a maximum of 1.5 to 2 years per employer.
Advocate for Yourself!
If you don’t speak for yourself, who would?
My biggest mistake from the conversation with the Head of HR was not challenging her decision. It’s not about winning. It’s about speaking your truth.
You can be amazing
You can turn a phrase into a weapon or a drug
You can be the outcast
Or be the backlash of somebody's lack of love
Or you can start speaking up
Nothing's gonna hurt you the way that words do
When they settle 'neath your skin
Kept on the inside and no sunlight
Sometimes a shadow wins
But I wonder what would happen if youSay what you wanna say
And let the words fall out
Honestly I wanna see you be brave
— Sara Bareilles.
I was on a YouTube channel recently where I talked about this and other mistakes to avoid if you want to make better career decisions.
Channel Your Anger
Anger is a good emotion when channelled properly.
Instead of sinking into depression for being demoted, I worked harder. I never let anyone pity me. At the office, I buried myself into more work. And after work, I went home to run as a way to dissipate all the emotions I bottled inside of me (I’ve ran a few marathons since then).
My hardwork was more than noticed a few years later. When the bank wanted to embark on a digital transformation journey, myself and 11 others were chosen for the project which later give birth to Nigeria’s first digital bank. That project changed my career trajectory.
Don’t get angry. Get to work.
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Until Next Week,
— ❤️ Azodo.