Listen "283: Failing Upward: Navigating Undeserved Promotions with Dima Ghawi"
Episode Synopsis
Dima Ghawi, author of 'Breaking Vases: Shattering Limitations and Daring to Thrive,' discusses the phenomenon of 'failing upward' in the workplace. How to deal with people less qualified "falling up" and getting promoted past you, how to deal with managing people who "fall up" into your department! With her extensive experience in leadership and diversity, equity, and inclusion, Dima offers insights into overcoming unconscious biases and navigating office politics. Learn how to create a resilient career path and foster an inclusive work culture in this engaging episode.
"I just think a lot of these individuals get promoted because they know how to play the game. They know how to play politics. They say the right thing. They do the right thing." - Dima Ghawi
Key Takeaways:
-Peter Principle and Pretty Principles
-Unconscious Bias and how that plays into "Falling Up" dynamics
-What strategies can individuals use to cope with being passed over for promotions?
-Managing those who have fallen up into your department and managing the existing teams around them
Connect with Dima Ghawi
https://www.dimaghawi.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/dimaghawi
https://www.breakingvases.com
Connect with Manage Smarter and its hosts!!!!
· Website: https://salesfuel.com/manage-smarter/
· LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/audreystrong/ · LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cleesmith/
TWITTER/X
Audrey https://x.com/tallmediamaven
Lee https://x.com/cleesmith
Connect with SalesFuel
· Website: https://salesfuel.com/
· Twitter: https://x.com/SalesFuel
· Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/salesfuel/
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
"I just think a lot of these individuals get promoted because they know how to play the game. They know how to play politics. They say the right thing. They do the right thing." - Dima Ghawi
Key Takeaways:
-Peter Principle and Pretty Principles
-Unconscious Bias and how that plays into "Falling Up" dynamics
-What strategies can individuals use to cope with being passed over for promotions?
-Managing those who have fallen up into your department and managing the existing teams around them
Connect with Dima Ghawi
https://www.dimaghawi.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/dimaghawi
https://www.breakingvases.com
Connect with Manage Smarter and its hosts!!!!
· Website: https://salesfuel.com/manage-smarter/
· LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/audreystrong/ · LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cleesmith/
TWITTER/X
Audrey https://x.com/tallmediamaven
Lee https://x.com/cleesmith
Connect with SalesFuel
· Website: https://salesfuel.com/
· Twitter: https://x.com/SalesFuel
· Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/salesfuel/
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
More episodes of the podcast Manage Smarter
293: The Buy-In Advantage with Dave Garrison
07/12/2025
Extra Point: Holiday B2B Selling
03/12/2025
Extra Point: Voice of the Sales Rep
26/11/2025
Extra Point: The Unspoken Sales Advantage
19/11/2025
Extra Point: Trust, Communication & Teamwork
12/11/2025
Extra Point: Smarter Sales Hiring
05/11/2025
Extra Point: Rebuilding Trust After Layoffs
29/10/2025
ZARZA We are Zarza, the prestigious firm behind major projects in information technology.