Breaking Bias and Inexperience in Career Advancement

Career advancement should be based on ability, ambition, and performance, but too often, people encounter invisible barriers: bias and lack of experience.

Bias, whether conscious or unconscious, influences hiring decisions, promotions, and opportunities. Meanwhile, the outdated idea that experience can only be gained through seniority prevents talented individuals from reaching their full potential.

If business leaders want diverse, high-performing teams, they must take an active role in breaking these barriers. At the same time, professionals must stop waiting for recognition and start building credibility regardless of their job title.

Recognising and Challenging Bias in Career Progression

Bias affects nearly every workplace, shaping who gets hired, who gets promoted, and who is seen as leadership material. In many cases, bias is unconscious, which means it often goes unnoticed.

It can appear in different ways:

• The assumption that someone isn’t ready for leadership simply because they haven’t held a specific job title.
• Affinity bias, where managers promote those who “fit the mould” rather than those who bring fresh perspectives.
• Gender and racial bias, where subconscious stereotypes influence hiring and promotion decisions.

To challenge this, businesses must:

• Address conscious bias immediately, as deliberate discrimination should never be tolerated.
• Educate teams on unconscious bias so that awareness leads to corrective action.
• Implement structured hiring and promotion processes to ensure decisions are based on merit rather than assumptions.

A Harvard Business Review study found that companies with structured diversity and bias training saw a 20 percent increase in diverse hiring and promotion rates within two years. Creating equal opportunities requires leaders to ensure bias is identified, addressed, and eliminated from decision-making processes.

Building Experience Without a Job Title

One of the most common misconceptions in career progression is that experience is only valid when it is tied to a formal job title.

In reality, experience is built through action, not just waiting for opportunities to appear.

As Winston Churchill once said, “We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.”

Professionals who accelerate their careers often do so by:

• Volunteering for leadership opportunities within their organisation and in external community initiatives.
• Taking on freelance or side projects to gain practical skills.
• Upskilling themselves through additional learning and hands-on experience rather than waiting for permission.

Many professionals limit their own growth by assuming they need an official title to lead. However, those who stand out are often the ones who demonstrate leadership qualities long before they are recognised with a promotion.

Leveraging Networking and Mentorship for Career Growth

Career success is rarely built in isolation. Networking and mentorship play a crucial role in opening doors and creating opportunities.

• Professionals with mentors are five times more likely to be promoted than those without.
• More than 70 percent of job opportunities are filled through connections rather than formal job applications.

Building a strong professional network allows individuals to access insights, gain recommendations, and create career opportunities that might not be available through traditional channels. Many of the longest-term business relationships begin informally—at industry events, networking breakfasts, or even casual coffee meetings.

Those who actively build and maintain professional relationships often find that their career progression accelerates simply because they are known within their industry.

Crafting a Personal Brand That Gets Noticed

Professional success is not just about what a person achieves but also how they are perceived. A strong personal brand is built on contribution and presence, not just qualifications or job titles.

A 2023 LinkedIn study found that professionals who actively contribute to their industry – whether through mentoring, speaking engagements, or community involvement – are 47 percent more likely to be considered for promotions and job opportunities.

Personal branding is not about self-promotion; it is about demonstrating value through action. Professionals who give back, share insights, and contribute to their industries are often the ones who stand out when new opportunities arise.

Advocating for Career Advancement

One of the most important career lessons is that no one will fight for an individual’s success as much as they will themselves.

Many professionals assume that hard work alone will be recognised and rewarded, but in reality, career progression requires self-advocacy.

Before expecting a promotion, salary increase, or leadership opportunity, individuals should ask themselves:

• Have I clearly demonstrated my value?
• Have I communicated my ambitions to the right decision-makers?
• Have I taken initiative rather than waiting for opportunities to be handed to me?

A study by McKinsey found that employees who actively advocate for their own career progression—by initiating conversations about promotions, salaries, and professional development—are twice as likely to reach leadership roles within five years.

Success is not just about working hard; it is about ensuring that the right people see and recognise that work.

Final Thoughts

Bias exists in every industry, and experience is often undervalued until it is validated by a title. However, professionals who take control of their own growth, challenge bias, and build credibility through action will always be ahead of those who wait for recognition.

The key to breaking through these barriers is simple:

• Challenge bias wherever it appears.
• Seek experience through action rather than waiting for a title.
• Build relationships that open doors to new opportunities.
• Create a personal brand that makes career advancement inevitable.
• Advocate for personal success rather than expecting recognition to come naturally.

The leaders who thrive are the ones who push forward, create opportunities, and refuse to let outdated career structures hold them back. Success is not about waiting for the right moment – it is about creating the right momentum.

Mike Greene

Entrepreneur, Leadership Mentor, and Philanthropist

https://mikegreene.co.uk

Mike Greene is a visionary entrepreneur, mentor, and philanthropist with a track record in executive leadership, business growth, and social impact. With investments in over 30 startups, including Shazam and Chargemaster, he advises more than 40 UK businesses, helping entrepreneurs navigate their journeys. His media presence, including Channel 4’s Secret Millionaire, further highlights his influence, leading him to raise £100,000 for 100 charities in 100 days and dedicate a third of his time to philanthropy and mentorship.

As Founder and CEO of Global Research Business, Mike built a multi-million-pound enterprise before its rebranding as Lumina Intelligence. His expertise spans industries such as energy, retail, consumer goods, and finance, advising global corporations like BP, Tesco, Coca-Cola, and GSK. He also played a pivotal role in the Association of Convenience Stores as its youngest Chairman, supporting 33,500 UK retailers. Beyond business, he drives urban revitalisation through property development in Peterborough and Cambridgeshire.

A passionate advocate for education and healthcare, Mike has championed initiatives like Peterborough University and Cambridgeshire Children’s Hospital. His adventurous spirit has seen him sail in the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race and summit Kilimanjaro and Annapurna. Recognized with an Honorary Doctorate in Education from Anglia Ruskin University and named among the most influential leaders in the grocery industry, he continues to inspire with his leadership and commitment to social good.