Deciding between two top performers for a promotion, you must be considering these some steps that might help in making a fair decision, analyze their performance data, looking beyond just recent achievements. Consider consistency, quality of work, and impact on the team and organization. Evaluate their leadership potential. Who has demonstrated the ability to lead, inspire, and support others more effectively, and think about who is more aligned with the future goals of the organization. This includes their adaptability, willingness to learn, and ability to take on new challenges. The decision should be based on who is not only capable of handling the new responsibilities but with interest for the strategic direction of the organization.