How can your manager influence your job promotion ?

• Forget about one and you'll loose both.
• Expectation. That is what your boss is all about. Give him what he expects and your promotion will come closer.What does your boss want
?
• Some managers know exactly what they need. That is easy.
• Other managers know what needs to be done but don't know how to do it.
• Does your manager like direct (face to face) or indirect (email) communication? Find out and act on it.

• Is it worth going over the boss' head?
• What will you gain by outdoing your boss?
• What will you gain by exploiting your manager's weak points?
• What is books is your boss reading? Communication
• Updates: Frequent or No
• Reports: What kind of delivery
• Does he take on board personal issues?

Expectations

• How is work given? Clear instructions?
• Short deadlines?
• Tight deadlines?
• Working hours: what is expected?

About the boss

• What are his least favourite tasks?
• How do you gain your manager's trust?

The above will help you understand your manager. This will have a direct impact on your promotion possibilities.

• Does your boss communicate as a manager or a colleague?
• How does the boss look at you?
• As a thorn in the side or an asset to the project?
• Are you more knowledgeable than him? Do you boast of this fact?
  (Your manager should never see you as a threat to his position.)

• What are the boss' weak points? Do you expose them?
• Protect your boss and he will hopefully protect you!

Career

• Your manager's top priority is his own career.
• What skills is your manager most proficient in?
• Do you expose your manager's mistakes? - You should not.