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The Promotion Paradox: How "Winning" Sometimes Felt Like Learning All Over Again

The Promotion Paradox- Rajarshi Banerjee
The Promotion Paradox- Rajarshi Banerjee

I still remember the feeling. The sheer exhilaration of becoming the youngest AVP, and then the youngest VP, in my Zone at Axis Bank. It was proof that hard work pays off, a dream come true.

But honestly? The challenge began the day after the congratulatory calls faded.

Suddenly, I was leading friends, colleagues, even mentors who were, just yesterday, my peers, or even senior to me in experience. The dynamic shifted. The unspoken rules changed. And nobody, absolutely nobody, sat me down and said: "Rajarshi, what got you here won't get you there."

There was no fancy 90-day transition plan. No glossy handbook on how to ditch the 'doer' hat for the 'strategist' mantle. I was thrust into it, learning on the fly, often fumbling through new expectations while still trying to shed the skin of my old role. I wanted to play a new game, but with rules I had to discover by making mistakes.

The frustration was real. The self-doubt, occasionally. But that raw, unfiltered experience taught me lessons that no MBA or corporate training ever could.



💡 My Unfiltered Truths for Any Aspiring (or Recently Promoted) Leader:


  1. Influence is the New Currency: Those early wins came from my execution. Now, success depends on influencing others. I had to learn to lead through persuasion, empathy, and genuine collaboration, not just authority. Listening became my most powerful tool.

  2. The Invisible Strategic Leap: I thought a promotion just meant more of the same. Wrong. It demanded a fundamental shift: from perfecting operations to shaping vision, navigating complex politics, and empowering entire teams to deliver. It’s a different brain-muscle entirely.

  3. Your Narrative Matters More Than Ever: I used to believe results spoke for themselves. Big mistake. Especially when you're young and rising fast, you must strategically articulate your team's successes and your strategic impact. If you don't tell your story, someone else will, or worse, no one will know it.

  4. Embrace the Messy Middle: Carrying bits of the old role while grappling with the new felt chaotic. But it taught me to thrive in ambiguity. Today's leadership landscape is often complex and messy. Learning to lead through uncertainty is your superpower.



✨ A Direct Challenge to Today's Fast-Track Executives:


If you're climbing the ladder, or dreaming of it:

  • Find Your Unofficial Guides: Seek out mentors (formal or informal) who’ve navigated these exact transitions. Ask them the uncomfortable questions. Learn from their bumps and bruises.

  • Master the Art of Influence: Your technical skills got you here. Your ability to inspire, negotiate, and build consensus will take you further. This is a skill you cultivate daily.

  • Proactively Define Your New Game: Don't wait for permission. Identify the top 3 strategic priorities of your new role and relentlessly shed tasks that belong to your old one. Create your 90-day plan, even if it's just for yourself.

  • Champion "What Got You Here Won't Get You There": Internalize it. It's not a threat; it's a compass. It fosters continuous self-assessment and a powerful commitment to evolving as a leader.

Your promotions are a testament to your brilliance. Your ability to evolve through the leadership paradox – that's your true legacy.


👇 Young leaders, let's get real: What was your biggest surprise or struggle after a big promotion? How did you navigate that uncomfortable transition? Share your unfiltered insights below – we're all learning from each other!



 
 
 

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