How to Bounce Back after Getting Passed Over for Promotion: Learn from Jamie Dimon’s Inspiring Story

Optimize team management in minutes with ManageBetter. Start your free trial now and join Uber and Microsoft in boosting performance, gathering insights, and generating reviews—all AI-powered, no writing required.

Being passed up for a promotion is not the end of your career.

In fact, it might just be the beginning of something bigger and better.

The Story of Jamie Dimon

Let's take a closer look at the story of Jamie Dimon, one of the most successful CEOs in the financial industry. Dimon started his career at American Express and rose through the ranks to become the company's President. However, he left American Express in 1998 after a disagreement with the CEO, Harvey Golub.

After leaving American Express, Dimon joined Citigroup, where he worked closely with his mentor, Sandy Weill. Dimon was widely regarded as a rising star at Citigroup, and many believed he was the heir apparent to Weill. However, in 1998, Weill passed over Dimon for the position of President, instead appointing his own protege, Charles Prince.

This was undoubtedly a blow to Dimon, who had worked tirelessly to prove himself to Weill. However, Dimon did not let this setback define him. Instead, he left Citigroup and took a position at Bank One, where he quickly turned the struggling company around and restored its profitability.

In 2005, Dimon was named CEO of JPMorgan Chase, one of the largest and most prestigious banks in the world. Dimon's outstanding leadership skills and business acumen have enabled JPMorgan Chase to become one of the most prosperous and esteemed financial institutions worldwide. Dimon's remarkable achievements have been recognized by Time Magazine, which has named him among the 100 most influential people in the world several times. As an astute and inventive leader, Dimon has established himself as one of the most prominent figures in Wall Street and is widely considered as one of the greatest CEOs of his era.

So what can we learn from Jamie Dimon's story?

First and foremost, we can learn that being passed up for a promotion is not the end of the world. In fact, it might just be the beginning of something bigger and better. If Dimon had been appointed President of Citigroup, he might never have left the company and taken the job at Bank One, which ultimately led to his position at JPMorgan Chase.

Secondly, we can learn the importance of perseverance and hard work. Dimon did not let his disappointment at Citigroup define him. Instead, he worked even harder to prove himself at Bank One, and his success there ultimately led to his position at JPMorgan Chase. Dimon's willingness to roll up his sleeves and do the hard work required to turn around a struggling company is one of the reasons he is such a respected and admired leader.

Finally, we can learn the importance of mentorship. Even though Weill passed over Dimon for the position of President, he remained an important mentor and supporter of Dimon throughout his career. Weill's guidance and advice undoubtedly played a role in Dimon's success, and his willingness to take a chance on Dimon in the first place was a testament to his leadership and vision.

Conclusion

Being passed up for a promotion can be a difficult and demoralizing experience. However, it is important to remember that setbacks are a natural part of any career, and that they can often lead to new opportunities and experiences. By following the example of Jamie Dimon, we can learn the importance of perseverance, hard work, and mentorship, and we can be inspired to achieve our own success in whatever career we choose.

Sharpen Your Leadership Edge: Join 3,000+ executives receiving weekly, actionable insights from industry experts. Subscribe free to The Thoughtful Leader and elevate your team's performance.

Previous
Previous

Embracing Tough Feedback: How to Receive, Accept, and Act on Constructive Criticism from Your Manager

Next
Next

The Top 3 Competencies We’d Recommend to Any ManageBetter Customer