You have been doing the job above you for six months. Time to be paid for it. Navigate the conversation that most people delay too long.
Part of
Managing Up →
The most underrated workplace skill. From making your work visible to your manager, to pushing back on bad decisions and navigating your boss's boss — practice the conversations that shape how your career is seen from above.
Skills you'll build
What happens in this story4 scenarios
You've been doing senior-level work for six months. Your manager keeps saying 'great job' but never brings up the title. You realize no one is going to start this conversation for you.
You're sitting across from your manager, about to make the case for yourself. Every instinct says to downplay, to hedge, to let the work speak for itself — but the work has been speaking and nobody listened.
They said 'not yet.' Your stomach drops, but the conversation isn't over. The next sixty seconds will determine whether 'not yet' becomes 'never' or 'let's figure this out.'
The title isn't coming this quarter. But there's a path — if you can negotiate concrete milestones instead of vague promises that dissolve by next review cycle.
More stories in this course
View all →The Invisible Work
You're doing great work. Nobody above you knows it. Learn to make your contributions visible without bragging — and change how your manager sees you.
4 scenarios →The Pushback
Your manager is wrong and you know it. Practice how to disagree upward — firmly, professionally, and in a way that makes them glad you spoke.
4 scenarios →The Skip-Level
Your boss's boss wants a one-on-one. This is either a gift or a test. Learn to navigate the power dynamics above your manager without burning bridges below.
4 scenarios →The Promotion Ask
You have been doing the job above you for six months. Time to be paid for it. Navigate the conversation that most people delay too long.
Start free →4 scenarios · 25 min · No account required to try