Smartly Career Growth & Development

What makes promotion criteria feel fair and clear — and what evidence supports it?

When someone gets promoted at Smartly, no one is surprised. When everyone knows what “good” looks like and what “great” looks like, then promotions are fair for everyone. You can usually trace promotions back to concrete evidence: the impact these people have had within their team, how they raised the bar for everyone else at Smartly, and for many, how they’ve shown up with external stakeholders.

Which program most improved your capability in your role — and what changed after?

Two programs helped me change the most: a leadership coaching course and a negotiation training. Leadership coaching forced me to look in the mirror: how I show up, how my energy lands and also how to listen and ask the right questions. Negotiation training sharpened the sales basis: structure, clarity and the confidence to hold value under pressure. After that, I close better deals with clients, but also with peers and executives. If you can, always continue learning.

3 Manager Behaviors That Accelerate Growth at Smartly

1. “Trust (before proof): giving you space to stretch into the role. Learn, fail, then succeed.”
2. “Direct, frequent feedback. Great managers tell you when to fly, when to stop, when to reassess and when to push. Receiving and learning to appreciate feedback is what can help you grow.”
3. “Being your biggest cheerleader. Good managers are your biggest fans. By trusting you and pulling you into rooms you didn’t even know existed, they allow you to shine, and you feel motivated to make them happy time and time again.”