Make Yourself Heard

Recently a client said that she found it crass to brag about her accomplishments but wondered how to promote herself and make people aware of what she had done.

Women are not very good at tooting their own horns. We were taught that good girls don't brag. We believed that all we had to do was work hard and recognition and reward would follow. Unfortunately that is not how it works. If you don't learn to speak up and tell your story it is possible that you will be passed over for a choice project or miss a new business opportunity. So how can you get the message out without feeling like you are bragging?

Peggy Klaus, author of Brag! The Art of Tooting Your Own Horn Without Blowing It, suggests that you need to create a "bragalogue", a short, enthusiastic story of your strengths and accomplishments. She says you have to be able to sell yourself if you want to convince others that you are worthy of that assignment or job. She suggests that it is important to have a "goody bag" of those accomplishments and find a way to mention them to people who can make a difference, your boss, potential clients, even your existing clients.

But you hate to talk about yourself, so how do you do this? You could start by focusing on others. If you have staff or collaborate with colleagues don't brag about yourself. Find a way to highlight the successes and accomplishments of others. Be generous in your praise. Feature it in your company newsletter if you have one. Your staff or collaborators appreciate the attention and by reflection you look like a great leader, an effective business owner.

Consider using internal memos or monthly reports to mention some recent accomplishment or result. These vehicles can be an effective way to "communicate" and keep everyone informed and they can spotlight you and your staff.

Don't be shy. If you get appointed to a local board or commission, become the president of a local charity, or write an article for a trade journal, share that achievement. Send a notice to the business section of your local paper. Share a copy of your article with your clients. Be sure to include a note that conveys how excited you are. You won't be bragging, you'll be communicating your excitement.

The opportunity to mention some achievement or convey something about your business can come up when you least expect it. Those of us who were Girl Scouts remember that we were taught to be prepared. Put together a brief description of your accomplishments and experience. When the opportunity comes up, you will have that crisp description at hand, one that showcases your business. You can more easily drop the relevant information into a conversation.

Gail Evans, the author of She Wins, You Win says that "women tend to interpret rules too literally. Learn to be subtle and find those artful ways to communicate your accomplishments." This is a rule that begs to be broken, or at least bended.

Author: Robin Fogel, Robin Fogel & Assoc., LLC.