To think no one’s ever really ready when going for an internal role, you grow into it?

[MyAmusedOpalCrab]

I’ve seen it so many times, especially with women. They hesitate to go for internal progression or stretch roles because they don’t feel 100% ready. But honestly, no one ever is.

The people who go for it and get it often learn on the job. They grow into the role. They figure things out as they go. And half the time, the people hiring know that’s how it works. They’re not looking for perfection, just potential.

But imposter syndrome makes you second-guess yourself. You wait until you’ve ticked every box and by then someone else has stepped up, usually with less hesitation and more confidence.

AIBU to think the idea you’ve got to be fully ready first is a lie and the real growth only starts once you’re already in the seat?

I think it depends on the sector, organisation, team and people involved.

In my experience if you are not firing on all cylinders from day one, you'll be out the door by the 3rd month (maybe not for internal promotions but then you'll find yourself being squeezed out.

I think people do want perfection and won't settle for less.

Totally. I had to take over as HoD in less than ideal circumstances, way before I thought I was ready. Imposter syndrome was massive but it was the making of me professionally and now the Dept has never been stronger. But I probably would never have gone for it under my own steam.

I honestly don’t think men feel like this.

AIBU to think the idea you’ve got to be fully ready first is a lie and the real growth only starts once you’re already in the seat?

Yes YABU

I am sure it's true in some places, but for most work environment it really isn't. That's why they recruit internally, so you don't need any catch up.

What is excusable from a new comer who doesn't know the environment is not acceptable for someone who is already there.

I think it's very dangerous to believe you can blag it, or that you are recruited as a kind of trainee and for your "potential".

Yeah, I think very often this is the case. As people move up in an organisation,in my experience there is little or no training for many aspects of the new job. If you are lucky there will be some people who can show you the ins and outs, but often they seem to just leave people to figure it out.

And yes, I do think women sometimes are more hesitant to take a leap. And younger people as well, (compared to younger people in the past, not older people, obviously.)

You don't have to be 100% ready, but you've got to be 80% ready. Of course you grow in the role, but you've got to be ready to do the role to a reasonable standard from the get go.

In many companies, you can only get promoted when you already performing at next level and this is what "ready for promotion" means. Not all companies are like that but a lot of them are. I guess it also depends on the type of job, industry etc.

Generally speaking, in another role, there will always be something you aren't 100% familiar with but I don't really think that they (leadership) expect there'd be an awful lot of catching up to do within the same company. If there is a significant gap in skills and experience between the person currently in the job and the person applying for that job, I wouldn't have thought the latter would get promoted.