We are all taught in school that if you work hard, it pays off. If you study hard, you'll get good grades. If you practice hard, you'll be the best. And in the work place, if you do your job well, you'll receive promotions and monetary rewards. But the reality is that good performance alone does not guarantee career advancement.

What does it take to get noticed and be more promotable? In this issues of Promotional Consultant Today, we share these promotion-winning strategies from former New York Times bestseller author Herb Greenberg, Ph.D.

1. Don't expect others to tell you how to contribute. The key here is initiative. Moving ahead takes more than just meeting expectations and fulfilling your basic job responsibilities. You need to be proactive in seeking out where you can contribute to have the most impact. Many talented managers and professionals ask their boss, "What exactly do I need to do to get promoted?" That's a dangerously passive mindset that can actually hinder a person's prospects for promotion. Those who successfully rise through the ranks don't wait for someone else to define the road map for them. Instead, they aggressively seek ways to stand out.

2. Do your homework. Look for alternative methods for streamlining processes. Once you've done the research and have proven successes and metrics to back up your ideas, present your findings to management and try to sell them on your ideas. Also look for new solutions to problems.

3. Showcase your capabilities. Participating in and taking the lead on projects or initiatives is a first step toward showcasing your capabilities-not only to team members but also to supervisors and managers. If your team values your contributions, they are likely to become some of your strongest advocates.

4. Communicate your accomplishments constructively. This can be a tricky one. Accomplishments never speak for themselves. They require a spokesperson: you. You need to toot your own horn—but do it constructively and selectively. If your accomplishments are invisible to your boss or higher-level executives, your perceived promotability will be much lower than that of peers with comparable accomplishments who know how to promote their achievements. However, take care not to come across as self-serving, as that could create rifts in your business relationships. If you have successfully engaged in a project win, be sure to acknowledge your involvement, as well as that of others who contributed to the project's success. Not only will this create a team-oriented and collaborative dynamic, but it will also showcase your capabilities in a professional way.

5. Expand your internal network. Most people recognize the importance of building an external network for their career success but fail to give sufficient attention to building their internal network. As with external networking, the key here is to "give before you get" by being helpful to others. This approach will enhance your visibility and reputation, and it will go a long way toward increasing your career advancement prospects. In contrast, a self-serving "what's-in-it-for me" approach to internal networking will be transparent to others and diminish your reputation. Be sure to acknowledge the assistance you receive, and reach out to people who can help you advance in your goals and in your attempts to sell your ideas.

6. Adopt an expanded definition of your role. Simply filling your job description is no longer enough. These days, roles are dynamic; tasks and projects change constantly. Again, take the initiative to go beyond your job description and contribute in multiple ways, such as volunteering to lead a work team or committee.

7. Be a good corporate citizen. Finally, find ways to give back to the organization, such as volunteering for a mentorship program. Consider becoming a mentor to a younger employee outside of your department. Or help co-workers with their projects, while providing some type of mentorship in the process. This can position you as a valid resource in advancing the company's efforts.

As Greenberg says, increasing your promotability is simply a matter of increasing your professional visibility. Valuable employees who show true engagement in their jobs are the ones who will stand out.

Source: Herb Greenberg, Ph.D., is the founder and CEO of Caliper, an international management consulting firm. He coauthored the New York Times bestseller Succeed on Your Own Terms as well as How to Hire and Develop Your Next Top Performer, both published by McGraw-Hill. He also cohosted the nationally syndicated radio program "Winning in Business."