Authentic self-promotion to get ahead in the workplace

Picture this, you are a hard worker in your organization, a great employee who always delivers your work on time. You always go the extra mile to get extra projects done while managing costs to save your department's bottom line, and on top of all that you help your colleagues when they reach out for help, but through all of this you are always skipped for promotions, and you never get recognized in Management meetings for your exemplary work. Frustrating, isn't it?

The skill set you lack is self-promotion. Self-promotion is when a person highlights their accomplishments. By doing this, you show off your experience and competency to others. When self-promotion is done well — matching style with substance — it is usually interpreted as effective communication, managing up, networking, information-sharing, or relationship-building — all of which are incredibly positive and respected skills for a leader to have.

3 Reasons Authentic Self-Promotion Matters

1. Talent does not equal recognition.

People are busy, organizations are dispersed, and priorities are shifting. Many high-performing individuals and groups can be overlooked with everything else that is going on.

2. Success requires many relationships.

The boss cannot know everything. Many people across the team and organization need to know who you are and what you have to offer.

3. Lean organizations need to employ and keep the best performers.

People need to be in roles where they are most efficient and effective. Long gone are the days when “just doing your job” translated to success. The most visible, but not necessarily most valuable, employees are often the ones who make the cut.

12 Tips for Authentic Self-Promotion at Work

• Speak up in meetings, be clear about successes, improve communication with your boss and peers, and volunteer for visible roles. Do not be obnoxious, but do not be overlooked, either.

• Be real, be yourself.

• Get clear on your strengths and why they matter. Understanding and knowing who you are is key to boosting your self-awareness.

• Deliver what you promote. Backup your claims with real accomplishments, skills, experience, or knowledge.

• Be honest and open. Self-promotion is not about stating false or exaggerated information. It is about being genuine and frank about your work and your efforts.

• Acknowledge the positive. Be sure to talk about successes.

• Be realistic about challenges and problem areas. Otherwise, your credibility will suffer.

• Get your elevator pitch right. Learn to summarize your successes.

• Be proactive. Ask for assignments, and do not wait for someone to hand you good opportunities to shine.

• Reach out. Invite people from other areas of the business to sit in at a meeting to give a fresh perspective.

• Tout the team. Highlighting the accomplishments of your team is one of the most comfortable ways to gain visibility, extend your network, and build relationships. Recognize the team’s role in your successes.

• Seek opportunities to interact with senior management in situations that highlight your strengths.

Some self-promotion at work is necessary to connect the dots between what you do and why it matters. The decision-makers in your organization will not always make those connections by themselves. You can and should “toot your own horn” in a way that is authentic, honest, and good for both your career and your organization.