I have to admit – I am a lousy self-promoter. I had a midcareer epiphany that, in order to avoid being described as a “work-horse” (a back-handed compliment I heard way too often) I would need to make my presence – and my accomplishments known.
I read a book, “Nice Girls Don’t Get The Corner Office” and it inspired me to change my habits. I adopted these basic self-promotion techniques:
1) When someone asked about me, I would respond by describing 2-3 projects I was working on. Much more interesting than simply stating that “I was fine.” Or mentioning that “not too much” was happening.
2) I would accept the compliment. Period. Sometimes the lack of a cynical or self-deprecating response felt excruciating, but I came to understand that there was far more power by simply saying thank you.
3) Enough with the false modesty. I was raised to deflect praise, but then I heard Oprah’s mantra – no brag, just fact – and realized that my demure response made me appear weak, not virtuous.
I am still far from being the poster child for effective self-promotion. But I’ve realized that most of the time it’s really not about that – it’s simply about owning your self-worth.