Describing a person deemed unsuitable for advancement to a higher position or rank within an organization. This judgment often stems from a combination of factors including inadequate skills, poor work ethic, lack of leadership potential, inability to collaborate effectively, or consistently underperforming. The term signifies a stagnation in career trajectory, implying that the individual has reached a ceiling in their current role and is unlikely to progress further. The reasons for this assessment can vary significantly depending on the specific context and the organization's criteria for promotion.
Unpromotable meaning with examples
- Despite his long tenure, John was considered unpromotable due to his aversion to taking on new challenges and his resistance to adapting to new technologies. His superiors recognized his value in his current position, but his lack of initiative made advancement impossible. Management had to work around him and find alternatives to his position.
- Sarah's constant negativity and difficulty in building rapport with colleagues earned her the label of unpromotable. Even though her technical skills were good, her interpersonal issues consistently hindered team projects, making her unfit for a leadership role. Other employees considered her difficult to work with.
- Mark's repeated failures to meet project deadlines and his inconsistent quality of work led to him being categorized as unpromotable. The lack of attention to detail and disregard for quality control created too many problems, making advancement inappropriate, as he would just increase the amount of issues for others.
- After multiple performance reviews and training opportunities, David remained unpromotable. His lack of enthusiasm, constant procrastination, and inability to accept constructive criticism indicated his unsuitability for any role requiring greater responsibility. The best option may be to move him from the department to another role.