Go ahead and promote yourself, but ensure you do it the right way

Bragging is rebuked in most cultures. In Asia, for instance, there is a simple expression that condemns the behaviour: "The tallest nail gets hit first."

This social conditioning may be why many of us are uncomfortable about tooting our own horns at work. While no one wants to come off like an arrogant chest-thumper, it is important to accept that a little self-promotion can go a long way in furthering your career.

The first step is realizing that self-promotion is not about preening or strutting. It's about creating a positive image and boosting your personal value by letting people know what you are doing: the challenges you've overcome, the work you've completed and what you've successfully accomplished. The objective is to be seen as someone who people want to work with as well as a valuable asset that your organization must retain.

There's another good reason to promote your best: Your boss may be too busy running the business to know what you're doing on a regular basis. Keeping them regularly updated on your contributions is one way to ensure you'll be noticed when it counts most. Here are some tips for self-promoting without appearing self-serving:

-- Talk about your work, not yourself. If you're uneasy with the idea of self-promotion, take the heat off by moving the spotlight from you to your work. When you're passionate about what you do, self-promotion is simple because your innate enthusiasm shines through. People naturally gravitate, respond positively to and remember individuals who give off that kind of energy.

-- Always be prepared to promote yourself. Each time your boss asks, "What's new?" and you reply with a casual "Not much," you're blowing a golden opportunity. Instead, seize the moment to tell your boss that work is going great, drop in some work-related news or mention the progress you're making on your latest project.

-- Recognize that your peers are natural allies. The people around you are much more than co-workers; they can also become big fans who will endorse your best attributes. As you work together, be sure to learn from them and share what you know with them. Never underestimate the power of being liked. Being known as someone who is enjoyable and reliable to work with will boost your personal value.

-- Pass along others' feedback. If you receive kudos from a customer complimenting something you did exceptionally well, let the boss know about it. Forward the email or note with your own comments about how well you understand the particular needs of the customer, the dynamics of the relationship or how well the entire team came together to make the customer happy.

-- There is only one "I" in self-promotion. Someone who tosses around a few too many "I's" ("I did this" or "I did that") often comes off as self-centred. Instead, weave your accomplishment into the context of a short story. Sum up what the problem was, what you recognized as the solution and what got done to fix it.

-- Think of self-promotion as building a long-term reputation. In other words, this is not something that you can accomplish in a few short weeks or over the duration of a single project. Earning the trust and respect of your colleagues requires forming positive work habits that need to be a constant and consistent part of your lifestyle.

Getting noticed at work is about promoting the right image. It's a balance of making your accomplishments known, projecting a positive, can-do attitude and cementing your reputation as a dedicated, dependable and personable co-worker.

Self-promotion doesn't come naturally to everyone; but it is impossible to exaggerate how crucial self-promotion is for any employee, regardless of the stage of their career they are in.

Those who take the time to work at promoting themselves are usually the first in line for the opportunities to advance because their skills and attributes stay top-of-mind for the boss. Thanks to a little self-promotion, they are the most obvious choice to climb the ladder of success and lead the organization into the future.

-- With reporting by Barbara Chabai

John McFerran, PhD, F.CHRP, is founder and vice-president of executive recruiting with People First HR Services Ltd. For more information, visit www.peoplefirsthr.com.

RESEARCH:

http://www.chercheznetworking.co.uk/self-promotion-in-the-workplace/

http://www.sla.org/content/Shop/Information/infoonline/2000/Jun00/comm.cfm

http://www.cio.com/article/464349/Self_Promotion_at_Work_8_Tips_for_Shy_People

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition July 31, 2010 I2