People - lots of them - have that conversation with themselves every day. Only problem is that in most cases, your work doesn't speak for itself - it can't, without some help. And the only person that can give the help is you. No amount of "a-wishin, a -hopin and a-prayin" is going to change that for the vast majority of us.
When someone compliments you on work you have done, do you give it an "Aw shucks, it wasn't that much"? Trust me, if you say it wasn't much, people will believe you. Modesty is a virtue but it can also be a handicap.
How can you promote yourself, demonstrate your value, and do it without looking like your own best cheerleader?
The first thing you have to do is accept the fact that you are - in fact - your own best cheerleader.
The second thing you need to do is perform - produce results, exceed expectations, volunteer for special assignments, accomplish.
And then make your accomplishments known to the people that count.
How do you do that? Set a structure that provides visibility. Create goals - share them - have the appropriate people help with setting goals - and then exceed them. Set up regular report points - allowing you visibility and progress reporting. Set up opportunity and jeopardy meetings to review progress and pinpoint problems and their solutions. It's the best kind of self promotion. And then be the cheerleader for the people who helped meet the goals. Share the credit for accomplishment with your workgroup.
Rather than seeing promoting yourself as a negative behavior - see it for what it really is -a critical skill and behavior.
Start today.
Written by Andy Cox, President
Cox Consulting Group LLC, 4049 E Vista Drive, Phoenix, AZ 85032 Ph: 602-795-4100; Fax: 602-795-4800; E Mail: acox@coxconsultgroup.com; Website: www.coxconsultgroup.com
Copyright 2007 All Rights Reserved
No comments:
Post a Comment