The Politics of Promotion
How High-Achieving Women Get Ahead and Stay Ahead
Resumen de The Politics of Promotion
In "The Politics of Promotion," Bonnie Marcus reveals why only 5.2% of Fortune 500 CEOs are women and delivers the political playbook they don't teach you in business school - endorsed by industry leaders for helping women advance while staying authentically themselves.
Temas clave en The Politics of Promotion
- workplace gender bias
- strategic self-promotion
- organizational power dynamics
- informal networking
- meritocracy myth
Citas de The Politics of Promotion
Meritocracy myth blindsides thousands of women daily.
Politics exists everywhere in human interaction.
Avoiding workplace politics only sets you up as a potential victim.
You must create your own visibility by communicating your value.
Women face the double bind of assertiveness.
Personajes en The Politics of Promotion
- Bonnie MarcusAuthor and former CEO who shares her career journey
- Cathie BlackFormer NYC schools chancellor and Hearst executive
- ShereenQualified candidate passed over for promotions
- Timi HallemProfessional who advocates for political awareness
Sobre el Autor
Sobre el autor de The Politics of Promotion
Bonnie Marcus, M.Ed., is the acclaimed author of The Politics of Promotion: How High-Achieving Women Get Ahead and Stay Ahead and a leading authority on workplace dynamics and women’s leadership.
A seasoned executive coach and Forbes contributor, she draws on over 20 years of corporate experience—including CEO and VP roles at national companies like ServiceMaster and Medical Staffing Network—to address gender inequities and career advancement strategies.
Her book, a career-development guide for women navigating office politics, blends research with actionable advice honed from her corporate leadership and coaching practice. Marcus also hosts the Badass Women at Any Age podcast and authored the empowering follow-up Not Done Yet! How Women Over 50 Regain Their Confidence and Claim Workplace Power.
Recognized as one of the world’s top 30 coaches by Global Gurus (2015–2020), her work has been featured in major media and global speaking engagements. Certified in executive coaching, Marcus holds a BA from Connecticut College and an M.Ed. from NYU.
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Preguntas Frecuentes Sobre Este Libro
The Politics of Promotion provides a roadmap for women to advance their careers by mastering workplace politics, strategic networking, and sponsorship. Bonnie Marcus challenges the myth that merit alone guarantees promotion, emphasizing how understanding organizational dynamics, building influential relationships, and intentional self-promotion are critical for breaking into power circles.
This book is essential for professional women aspiring to leadership roles, particularly in male-dominated industries. It’s also valuable for HR leaders, managers, and advocates of gender equity seeking insights into systemic barriers women face in career advancement.
Yes. Praised for its actionable strategies, the book combines research, case studies, and Marcus’s executive coaching experience to address gaps in traditional career advice. It’s recommended for its focus on navigating unconscious bias and building political savvy without compromising integrity.
Marcus outlines four tools:
- The Mirror: Self-assessment to identify achievements and gaps.
- The Magnifying Glass: Observing organizational power structures.
- Strategic Networking: Building alliances with key decision-makers.
- Sponsorship: Cultivating advocates who champion your promotions.
Marcus reframes politics as a neutral, necessary skill for leadership—not manipulation. She argues that avoiding politics leaves women sidelined, while engaging strategically helps them influence decisions and gain visibility.
Sponsors—senior leaders who advocate for promotions—are distinguished from mentors. Marcus stresses that sponsors provide visibility, credibility, and opportunities, making them vital for overcoming systemic barriers to advancement.
The book acknowledges bias as a career impediment and offers tactics to mitigate it, such as aligning with influential stakeholders, documenting achievements, and leveraging sponsorship to counteract stereotypes.
Some argue the book places excessive responsibility on women to adapt to flawed systems rather than addressing systemic change. However, Marcus balances practical advice with calls for organizational accountability.
Marcus advocates “owning your value” by articulating achievements in alignment with organizational goals. Tools like creating a “brag file” and rehearsing success stories help women communicate confidence without appearing arrogant.
While focused on broader challenges, the book’s principles apply to combating ageism. Marcus later expands on this in Not Done Yet!, urging older women to rebrand expertise and seek sponsors to retain relevance.
- “Performance doesn’t speak for itself.”
- “Politics isn’t dirty—it’s the oxygen of career growth.”
These emphasize proactive reputation management and political engagement.
While Sheryl Sandberg’s Lean In focuses on individual assertiveness, Marcus prioritizes understanding organizational ecosystems. Both stress self-advocacy, but Marcus provides more tactical steps to navigate hidden power structures.
