Promotions Go to People Who Already Do the Job Before They Get the Title

Waiting for a promotion before you start acting like a senior contributor is a common trap. In most organizations, the title follows the behavior — not the other way around. Start solving problems at the next level, take on responsibility that stretches you, and make it obvious that the gap between your title and your work has grown too wide to ignore.

This isn't about doing free work. It's about demonstrating readiness so clearly that promoting you becomes the easy decision.