11/17/2025

Why Assertive Leaders Get Promoted and Passive Leaders Do Not

Decisive, confident leaders are more likely to get promoted

You have probably seen it play out countless times: Two high-performing employees with equal skill and experience, but only one gets tapped for the next big leadership role.

What sets them apart? It’s not about intelligence or experience; both have it. So, what's the difference? One shows up with conviction, sets direction and speaks with authority. The other collaborates well and is widely liked, but tends to stay in the background, speaks softly and hesitates to take a stand.

In today's competitive leadership landscape, being capable isn't enough. To advance, leaders must be seen as decisive, confident and ready to lead.

Please select this link to read the complete article from SmartBrief.