Why do some people get paid more and promoted faster? Lessons from...
Accidentally Retired@AcdntlyRetired
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Mar 19, 2026
~4 min read
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Why do some people get paid more and promoted faster?
Lessons from my 18-year career rise from intern to CEO:
1. Early in your career, just say "yes" - it doesn't matter the job even the dishes, just say "yes"
Lessons from my 18-year career rise from intern to CEO:
1. Early in your career, just say "yes" - it doesn't matter the job even the dishes, just say "yes"
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2. Attitude over aptitude - Grunt work sucks, but a positive attitude can do wonders
3. Forget about your major - the minute you graduate it DOES NOT matter
3. Forget about your major - the minute you graduate it DOES NOT matter
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5. Focus on effectiveness, NOT efficiency - leverage the 80/20 principle to maximize time and effort
6. Hours DON'T matter - 60-hour weeks mean shit if you're not working on the RIGHT things at the RIGHT time.
6. Hours DON'T matter - 60-hour weeks mean shit if you're not working on the RIGHT things at the RIGHT time.
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7. Make your boss's life easier - this is seriously the #1 thing you can do; if you prioritize them, they will prioritize you.
8. Take constructive criticism - sometimes you do suck at something. Learn from it. Use it. Do better.
8. Take constructive criticism - sometimes you do suck at something. Learn from it. Use it. Do better.
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9. Be a leader - you can lead from ANYWHERE in the company. Lead by example. Lead by serving your employees. Leaders are humble, but not passive.
10. Delegate, delegate - delegate like crazy. Empower others by giving them responsibility.
10. Delegate, delegate - delegate like crazy. Empower others by giving them responsibility.
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11. If you don't ask, you don't get - ask for more work, ask for a raise, and then ask for a promotion
12. Keep stacking skills - learn a process or skill that no one else in your company/division/group has!
12. Keep stacking skills - learn a process or skill that no one else in your company/division/group has!
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13. NEVER stop learning - read books & blogs, listen to podcasts, or watch Youtube videos
14. Network, network, network - go to industry events, lunch with people from other companies, find a mentor, and keep in touch with former co-workers. It will all pay dividends!
14. Network, network, network - go to industry events, lunch with people from other companies, find a mentor, and keep in touch with former co-workers. It will all pay dividends!
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15. Don't be afraid to PIVOT - my major was in finance, my 1st job was in marketing, then I taught myself to code and became an engineer!
16. Solve problems - Just solve problems. Get shit done. Sometimes that is all you need to get noticed.
16. Solve problems - Just solve problems. Get shit done. Sometimes that is all you need to get noticed.
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17. Give more than you take - be a team player by helping your co-workers, boss, employees, and peers.
18. Take calculated risks - change jobs, start a business, push for a new system; take the risk!
18. Take calculated risks - change jobs, start a business, push for a new system; take the risk!
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19. Get 7-9 hours of sleep - you'll have more brain power, less sickness, and make better decisions
20. Vacations ARE necessary - you'll come back energized and more productive
20. Vacations ARE necessary - you'll come back energized and more productive
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21. Seize opportunities - take on new projects, lead a team, jump on anything that can pay dividends
22. Show up and be reliable - an underrated skill is simply being a person who has a reputation for being reliable
22. Show up and be reliable - an underrated skill is simply being a person who has a reputation for being reliable
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23. Stick to your word - if you say you'll do something by Wednesday. Fucking do it.
24. Show up on time - I mean duh. But I'm often surprised how many people show up late to work, meetings, or events
24. Show up on time - I mean duh. But I'm often surprised how many people show up late to work, meetings, or events
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25. Get to know your co-workers - have lunch, happy hour, and generally get to know your team
26. Make small talk - sometimes it's annoying, but small talk can help you build trust.
26. Make small talk - sometimes it's annoying, but small talk can help you build trust.
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27. Stay fit and healthy - you can't perform at your mental peak when you feel like shit. It just isn't possible.
28. Know your worth - I once went in and asked for a 40% raise AND got it. Know what you are worth to the company and don't be afraid to ask for it!
28. Know your worth - I once went in and asked for a 40% raise AND got it. Know what you are worth to the company and don't be afraid to ask for it!
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29. Follow your heart - climbing the corporate world is useless if you don't enjoy what you do in some way. If you don't like it, get out and find something you do.
30. Take ownership - mistakes inevitably happen. Own up to it. Fix it. Do better next time.
30. Take ownership - mistakes inevitably happen. Own up to it. Fix it. Do better next time.
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31. Don't gossip - What goes around, always comes back around. I promise.
32. Hire the best - create a method to hire the best A players you can find. Hire people smarter than you. And they'll make you look damn good.
32. Hire the best - create a method to hire the best A players you can find. Hire people smarter than you. And they'll make you look damn good.
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33. Learn to sell - EVERYTHING is sales. Engineers need to sell. Managers need to sell. Employees need to sell. It's ALL sales.
34. Underpromise & overdeliver - this one is tremendously hard. But if you can consistently do this your career will thrive.
34. Underpromise & overdeliver - this one is tremendously hard. But if you can consistently do this your career will thrive.
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35. Do HARD things - if it was easy everybody would do it. But because you did do it, you'll reap the rewards.
I could go on for days, but curious....what would you add?
I could go on for days, but curious....what would you add?
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Follow these lessons, and you too will take your career to the next level!
If you enjoyed this thread please give it a RT.
As a former CEO, I delve into FIRE, Enjoying Life, and Personal Growth: @AcdntlyRetired
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If you enjoyed this thread please give it a RT.
As a former CEO, I delve into FIRE, Enjoying Life, and Personal Growth: @AcdntlyRetired
x.com/13592785386967…
