For decades, the traditional career ladder followed a predictable formula: stay long enough, and you’ll move up. But according to Anupam Mittal, founder of People Group and a judge on Shark Tank India, that mindset is outdated.
In a recent LinkedIn post, Mittal tackled a question many professionals ponder: “What’s the best way to get promoted?” His response challenges conventional wisdom. Longevity alone no longer guarantees success—instead, career growth depends on speed, impact, and ownership.
The new playbook for career growth
Mittal’s take is clear: clocking in years at a job won’t guarantee a promotion anymore. In today’s fast-moving professional world, three key factors determine who moves up:
1. “Speed & agility over experience”
The market is evolving at 10x speed, and those who hesitate risk being left behind. Taking months to analyse trends is a losing strategy—by the time you act, the opportunity is gone. Instead, successful professionals rely on first principles of thinking and rapid iteration.
What this means for you: The ability to adapt quickly, experiment fast, and pivot when needed is more valuable than years of experience.
2. “Progress over movement”
Hard work doesn’t always equal meaningful work. Mittal recalled 90-hour workweeks that yielded nothing, while one well-executed project created massive impact.
His advice: Stop measuring your work in hours—instead, track your weekly progress and real contributions. Companies reward results, not effort.
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3. “Ownership over entitlement”
Gone are the days when just showing up was enough. Mittal draws a sharp contrast between the old-school corporate mindset and the new-age workplace, where success comes from initiative, accountability, and decision-making.
Key takeaway: Employees who think and act like founders—taking full responsibility and driving meaningful impact—are the ones who advance the fastest.
“Waiting for a promotion is a terrible career strategy”
In Mittal’s view, professionals who passively wait for recognition are setting themselves up for disappointment. Instead, he advises aligning with business objectives, delivering disproportionate value, and then actively asking for the position or compensation deserved.
Reflecting on his own career before becoming a founder, Mittal shares that following this playbook helped him consistently stay ahead.
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The lesson? Career growth today isn’t about time served—it’s about the value you create. So, if you’re still waiting for a promotion based on tenure—it’s time to change the game.