Written By: Jillian Climie.
At work, we're juggling a multitude of tasks – managing projects, completing deliverables, leading meetings, coaching colleagues, and more. We're consistently adding value, so it's natural to assume that everyone around us knows about all the incredible things we’re doing, right?
Unfortunately, that's not always the case. Our colleagues, and especially our leaders, are busy with their own responsibilities. This is why it's crucial to consistently communicate our strengths and achievements to ensure others are aware of our contributions. Remember: Visibility creates opportunities for career growth.
Read on to discover five powerful tips to master the art of communicating your strengths often.
Understand Your Core Strengths. What are the unique skills that set you apart from others? Identify and focus on these. Maybe you excel at communicating with senior leadership, or perhaps your experience provides you with a unique understanding of a particular technical aspect. Whatever distinguishes you, make sure you're doing the up front work to get clear with yourself on what those strengths are.
Track Your Achievements. Pay attention to your daily tasks and their impact on the organization. Did you propose a new marketing strategy that got approved for next year? Did you collaborate with the accounting team to improve invoice processing, saving hours each month? Did you lead a client meeting that resulted in getting the green light on a project? Keep a mental note of these accomplishments, and for the bigger ones, write them down. It can be easy to breeze past all the things we’re doing, so take stock. I recommend keeping an “achievement’s list” to refer back to.
Share Your Wins with Others. Start making it a habit to talk about your successes. During those small talk moments at the beginning of Zoom calls when someone asks how you’re doing, instead of just saying, "I'm good", mention a recent win or how you utilized a unique strength in a deliverable you’ve been working on. Or in a weekly team meeting, make a point to discuss an update of where your project is at, including sharing milestones or achievements you’ve had. It might feel awkward or boastful at first, but you're simply sharing your enthusiasm about the positive impact you're having. People will take note more than you might think.
Highlight Your Strengths in Key Moments. As you grow more comfortable discussing your achievements, you'll gain the confidence to bring them up at critical times. For example, if your leader is assigning a new project you'd like to join, mention how one of your strengths makes you an ideal fit for the team. Or if you’re up for promotion next year, connect how a recent achievement you had is helping prepare you for that role. Sharing your expertise out loud can have a powerful impact. Intentionally continue this practice, even as you take on new roles or move to new organizations.
Refine and Reflect. As you regularly communicate your strengths, you'll notice the influence this visibility has on the opportunities available to you. Continually refining how you talk about yourself and your achievements, both at work and in your personal life, will bolster your self-confidence and help you grow in your career. You'll also start to notice colleagues who achieve great things but aren't speaking up. Share these tips with them and help lift others up around you.
At The Thoughtful Co., we empower women to feel confident in advocating for themselves and negotiating their compensation. To learn more, visit our website here.
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