You’re Not Getting Promoted Because You’re Doing Your Job

The uncomfortable truth about performance and promotion committees

Welcome back to Path to Staff! This week, we have Danny Miller, an Engineering Manager with 20 years of experience who recently left Meta.

Danny sat on dozens of promo committees, particularly for the Senior → Staff jump for ICs. What he saw in those rooms is not what most engineers expect. I personally enjoyed this piece a lot because he uses an analogy to flying a plane. It makes the invisible mechanics of promo committees feel tangible in a way that most career advice doesn't. I hope it's as helpful for you as it was for me.

Without further ado, here’s Danny.