We’ve all been there: hesitating to speak up about our accomplishments, fearing we might come across as boastful or self-serving.
Take Jessica, one of my coaching clients who was a software engineer at a mid-sized tech company. She’d been working on a project to improve the company’s internal tool for managing customer feedback. After weeks of research and development, Jessica created a new feature that significantly streamlined the feedback process, saving time and reducing errors. Even though the new feature was met positively, Jessica was hesitant to promote her achievement. She felt … the ick! She believed that talking about her work might come across as bragging, and she didn’t want to overshadow her teammates. Instead, she quietly integrated the feature and moved on to her next task.
Here’s the thing though. Jessica’s reluctance to self-promote meant that her team and supervisors remained unaware of the full impact of her contribution. Think about it: the new feature could have been used as a model for other projects, and Jessica’s innovative approach might have earned her recognition and possibly promotions, bonuses and more. Furthermore, sharing her success could have inspired her colleagues’ ideas and fostered a culture of innovation within the team.
If like Jessica, you’re missing opportunities to promote your accomplishments, follow these tips to help you do it effectively without feeling the cringe:
1. Share Creative Problem-Solving
When you’ve found a unique way to solve a problem, it’s worth sharing. For instance, you might say, “I’m excited that we were able to figure out a way around X problem. By doing A and B, we have an improved the outcome of C.”
This not only highlights your creativity but also demonstrates your problem-solving skills. Creative problem-solving is a highly valued skill in any field. By sharing how you approached a difficult challenge and found a successful solution, you provide others with a model for thinking outside the box. You can take it a step further by emphasizing the process and teamwork involved, rather than just the outcome, to show that you value collaboration and are focused on contributing to the team’s success.
2. Highlight Improved Customer-Client Outcomes
When your solution leads to better results for clients, it’s a win-win situation worth mentioning. You can say, “I’m excited because this solution works even better for our clients than the old one. They can now do X [more efficiently/with better data/with an improved an interface].” This shows that you’re committed to continuous improvement and client satisfaction and that matters because clients are the lifeblood of any business. When you’ve implemented a solution that enhances their experience or outcomes, it reflects positively on your commitment to excellence. Sharing these improvements demonstrates your dedication to providing value and your ability to adapt and innovate, building trust and credibility with both clients and colleagues.
3. Share a Timely Insight Promptly
Sometimes, it’s about seizing the moment. For example, you can share a new, relevant insight by saying, “Hey, I want to share a quick win while it’s fresh in my mind...” This could be a brief update on a project, a new trend you’ve noticed, or a fresh perspective on a current issue. Being timely and relevant with your contributions shows you are engaged and proactive. Plus, with the amped up speed of most of our workplaces, timeliness is key. It might make the difference between your manager having “good news” to share with leadership in their very next meeting — or not. Prompt contributions help keep the momentum going and ensure that your insights are relevant and impactful.
4. Share Positive Progress
Last time I checked, managers like getting good news. So keep them informed about positive developments. You might say, “Good news! Our customer engagement rate is on the rise since last month” or “I wanted to share that our quarterly report is going smoothly — it’s on time and on target to be delivered this Friday.” This keeps your manager and team in the loop. Sharing good news can also help boost morale and reinforce progress and meaningful effort being made within the team or organization. So, share your progress note — it’ll encourage a culture of transparency and celebration of successes.
5. Highlight a Key Discovery or Learning Moment
Sharing what you’ve learned from a particular experience can create a positive ripple effect. For instance, “We had a huge learning moment: after X failed, we took a different approach and we realized we could achieve Y.” This shows that you’re reflective and committed to continuous improvement.
Not only that, you’re modeling for others that learning from experiences, whether successes or failures, is an essential part of growth. That can help others build on your insights and avoid potential pitfalls. By emphasizing the learning process and lightbulb moments that come with it, you can demonstrate your ability to reflect on experiences and apply lessons learned to future situations.
Embrace Self-Promotion with Confidence
Love it or hate it, self-promotion is still an essential skill in today’s professional world. It’s not about bragging—it’s about sharing your achievements and progress in a way that benefits everyone. By following these tips, you can confidently share your successes, inspire others, and contribute to a positive and collaborative work environment.
Remember, your insights and successes are worth sharing, and by doing so, you help create a culture of mutual support. So, go ahead — embrace self-promotion with confidence and watch how it positively impacts your career and your team.