As Abraham Lincoln once said, âThe best way to predict the future is to create it.â If you want to advance your career but donât know where to start, here are some things you can do to get promoted at work. By Michele Reynolds Be a Model Employee Rule number one for being a good employee is to always be on time and ready to go. Even if you work in a culture that runs behind schedule, itâs better to be on timeâor even earlyâeach day and to every meeting. If youâre leading the meeting, show up with an agenda and be an active timekeeper. Itâs a sign that youâre organized, respect peopleâs time, and serve as a role model to peers. At the end of the meeting, give a quick recap and identify next steps. Solve Problems, Donât Just Identify Them One of the best ways to stand out as a budding leaderâregardless of your current roleâis to be self-sufficient and demonstrate solid judgment. Doing so wonât just set you apart as a critical asset to your team but also serve as a tactic to further develop your leadership skills. A helpful mantra is, âBe a problem solver, not a problem identifier.â When you raise an issue to your boss, also propose a solution. Busy leaders often get bogged down by solving every problem their team faces. Do your boss a favor and find workarounds rather than just surface issues. Respect Your Bossâs Time Be considerate of your bossâs time. Before asking for help, consider the level of urgency and try solving the problemâor at least brainstorm a plan of action to run by your manager. Making an attempt first will demonstrate you know how to take initiative. For things that require your bossâs intervention but arenât time-sensitive, keep a running list of items to discuss. Ask if you can get some time on your managerâs calendar and outline what youâd like to discuss in your meeting invite so you both come prepared. Donât Be a Squeaky Wheel Perhaps most important is a can-do attitude. Anything you can do to minimize your bossâs workload will likely benefit you in the long run. You can help by volunteering to take on something new or brainstorm solutions when a crisis pops up. Baseball great Wade Boggs once said, âA positive attitude causes a chain reaction of positive thoughts, events, and outcomes. Itâs a catalyst, and it sparks extraordinary results.â So, whatever you do, donât be a whiner. Even if youâre feeling stressed, save your venting for a friend and present a positive front to your boss. Serve as a Vault Earn trust by keeping information about confidential or sensitive subjects to yourself. Beyond that, donât gossip or backstab at the water cooler. By being a stand-up employee, youâll earn trust and respect. Make Your Boss Look Good Staying organized and moving quickly can make you, and your boss, look good. But donât move too fast. Getting things done efficiently is important, but quality matters, too. Ensure your work represents your company well. If you take on additional responsibilities, confirm they align with whatâs expected of you. Your work reflects on your boss, so make sure theyâre proud of you and your product. Ask for Advice It may seem counterintuitive, but asking your boss for advice can yield dividends. According to research (pdf) by Harvard Business School Professor Alison Wood-Brooks, âIndividuals perceive those who seek advice as more competent than those who do not.â Timed right, asking your boss for guidance can work to your advantage. Speak Up As Aristotle said, âThereâs only one way to avoid criticism: Do nothing, say nothing, and be nothing.â Since youâre reading this article, you clearly want to stand out, so speak up. Confidently sharing your views and expertise in conversations or meetings allows you to demonstrate your knowledge and skills. You can also make an impression on your colleagues and superiors. Project Confidence Being a strong communicator is more than what you say. How you say itâboth i

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