6 tips for elegant self-promotion

One of the most important things you can do to advance your career is to let your bosses know when you have a success. Unfortunately it also seems to be one of the hardest. We see it as self-aggrandizing. No one likes to come across as a bragger, and women in particular seem to have a tricky time advertising their triumphs – but research suggests it is a hurdle we have to overcome.

Here are a few suggestions on how to let people know you’ve done well, without coming across as a jerk.

1. Realize it’s important to the mission, not just you. Your bosses need to know about your successes just as much as they need to know about your failures, but they are busy people who can’t be expected to keep track of everything that’s going on, even your daily triumphs. So sometimes you have to tell them. See it as doing them a favor. You are keeping them abreast of developments that matter to the organization.
2. Avoid rattling off a list of accomplishments. It’s much better to talk about recent successes in a conversation, rather than walking into your boss’s office with a list of achievements. We find a question is a great way in. “How are things going with the Austin account?” leads quite naturally into, “Ah, so glad. I just had the sense when I finally got them to agree to the concession last week that they’d eventually sign up.”
3. Couch your self-promotion as a thank you. One easy way to get over the idea that talking about your own success as self aggrandizing (it isn’t, by the way) is to phrase it in terms of a thanks to your boss for giving you the opportunity. “Bob, did you hear we nailed the Glaxo account? I loved running that pitch. Thanks for giving me the shot.”
4. Think we not me. It often helps to use words like we or the team or the group instead of I or me. It’s self-effacing but the message of success still gets across. “I’m so proud of the team’s effort on this report, they really did an excellent job.” Your boss hears that you led a group effort and scored a win at the same time.
5. Humour. Women should be wary of endless self-deprecation – we can do it so often we start to believe it. But sometimes a funny story can be a good way to soften a self-promoting anecdote. You say: “I’ll never forget that moment last week when I got the marketing award … and then fell flat on my face on my way up to the stage. So classy!” The boss hears: This is clearly a star who the industry is watching but you’ve still got a sense of humour.
6. Try to see yourself as others might see you. Remember, employers like winners. The way you are perceived might not always be fair but it definitely impacts your chances. Your bosses want a confident, successful member of the team; it makes them feel like winners too. It might not feel natural but you have to help your image by reminding your superiors that you are doing well. Do it with grace, and humour and thanks, but do it.

Some people love bragging; 90% of us don’t. But if you can see a measure of self promotion as a service to your busy, harried bosses and a necessary part of managing your career, that can take the sting out of publicizing your successes. See it as a tool – that’s all.

Published in collaboration with Influencer

Author: Katty Kay, BBC News anchor and contributor and guest host for Morning Joe.

Image: Student Bryson Negri, 17, looks over his resume as he waits for an interview during work readiness training at the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce in Los Angeles, California. REUTERS/Patrick T. Fallon