Why Your Boss Can’t Promote You (Even If They Want To)

August 10, 2026

Most of us believe that if we impress our manager and make ourselves indispensable, the promotion will follow.

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Episode Summary

Your boss loving your work is not enough to get you promoted. Not at the senior level.

Most of us believe that if we impress our manager and make ourselves indispensable, the promotion will follow. But once you're being considered for director, VP, and beyond, your boss is rarely the only person deciding. Promotions at that level are made by committee. And if the leaders in that room don't know you, your boss is fighting an uphill battle on your behalf. Ready to get in the room? Get VP-ready in my free masterclass: morewomenpromoted.com/masterclass

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN

  • How senior-level promotions actually get decided, and why it's almost never a one-person call
  • Why "my boss loves me" can be the exact thing keeping you stuck at director
  • The three things that make it easy for your boss to win the room when your name comes up
  • How to build real visibility with leaders outside your function without feeling braggy or political
  • The single mindset shift that separates the women who get promoted from the ones who stay stuck
RESOURCES MENTIONED

Join my FREE Masterclass on September 8th: The 3 Things Keeping You Stuck from VP and How to Fix Them: morewomenpromoted.com/masterclass

Join me live in Ottawa, Canada, on October 23rd. Save your seat at owntheroomsummit.com.

Not sure if you're ready for VP? Take the free assessment and find out at morewomenpromoted.com/quiz

 

…LET’S CONTINUE THE CONVO!

Curious what it’s like to work together? Send me a DM on LinkedIn or Instagram (Katy McFee) and tell me what you are working toward and we can take it from there.

Remember, there’s room for all of us at the table.

Hi, I’m Katy McFee
A former VP and EVP who knows how hard it is to break into executive leadership. After years of feeling stuck, I figured it out and now, as a certified executive coach, I help other women do the same. I’ve supported hundreds in landing the promotions they deserve with strategies that make success achievable, without the years of trial and error.