I am not a good Self Promoter In fact I a bit Self-deprecating Most Self Promotion comes off as arrogance and bragging to me. So I attempt to avoid that at all cost. [Who wants to be thought of as ARROGANT and a Braggard?!?!?] HOWEVER, more and more i see that the Self Promoters tend to move along better. "If you don't tell everyone how great you are . . who will??" "closed mouth doesn't get fed" etc etc etc So how do you handle being good at Self Promotion Letting the world know your greatness .. . . without sounding like an Arrogant Ass?? Rocket River This is the follow up to HOW TO ASK FOR WHAT YOU NEED WITHOUT FEELING LIKE A BEGGER!
what about yourself are you trying to promote? what a great person you are? how much better you are than everyone else because you drive a BMW? what's so special about you? there's no such thing as non arrogant self promoter. self-promoters are usually people compensating for lack of something else, usually self esteem. my cousin's a self promoter and no one can stand his ass. can't have a conversation for 5 minutes before he starts spouting about his boat, his house, or certain people who met. the greatest most wonderful people i know never have to talk about themselves.
I was just brainstorming this yesterday...I have no real answers yet. But it's important to do when your job doesn't lead to obvious profits without complex math.
Naaa. . . not so much that. I think it comes in work environments. IF you in SALES . . you have to promote why your product is better [but you have to install confidence that you know what you are talking about . . you have to promote yourself as a bit of an expert. but If you are in IT . . and say a manager position comes open you have to promote why you are better than the other candidate and well . .. I think that is something that needs to be done before the job comes available. The Self Promoter is basically constantly putting on the bosses' mind that they are GREAT . . the boss then keeps this in mind, come promotion time when you come along .. . he is like. . what's so great about you??? When you say something . . .it may seem like momentary bragging At the end of the day . . it is more like Advertising and Brand recognition How do you get your PERSONAL BRAND NAME out there. . and make it positive? Rocket River
i see. misunderstood you. in that case, do what Yo Yo did. leave the company and watch it go to crap.
There's nothing wrong with a little bragging if it means you'll be recognized down the line. Like you said, if you aren't proud of your accomplishments, no one else will be either. But, there's a time and a place for everything. The lunch room, or the water cooler aren't it. But, if your boss/client specifically asks you a question that leads to the opportunity for a little self-promotion, absolutely take it. I own a business, and in that sense, self-promotion is my livelihood. If I demonstrate the slightest bit of modesty in my ability to get the job done, it could mean that client loses his confidence in me. There is a thin line between confidence and arrogance in the professional world, and sometimes you might cross over....but if it means you're keeping your job, or gaining new opportunities, it's a line you've got to be willing to cross.
i thought you were talking about self-promotion like for your band/theatre group/art show or something...nothing wrong w/ that kind of self-promotion. generally, people who go around bragging about themselves are just insecure and trying to make themselves feel important. the ones who really have it going on dont need to tell others what a badass they are - they just do it.
GOOD JOB! You almost had that sentence right! See? That's how you promote and praise someone else. In all seriousness, only promote yourself when someone asks about it... don't do it on your own or you'll come across as arrogant, conceited and egotistical.
I am also not good on self-promotion, so this is what I rely on. We have annual goals and a yearly review process. So, I keep a file of the things I've accomplished and try to put in what quantification I can into it. And then when I do my self-review, I write it all down. However, I'm pretty sure that the guys with more forceful personalities who can reinforce their worth in person and in realtime probably still come out ahead, even if they do sound like arrogant jerks. So, my advice which I don't follow myself would be to drop your aversion to arrogance and act like an a-hole all the time.
Do this. If you don't, some other loudmouth idiot will (and I mean idiot). Then he'll be your boss, and you'll have to take orders from an idiot - and you'll only have yourself to blame. A competent loudmouth > a loudmouth idiot. A meritocracy has to be forced on some organizations. Promoting competence is better for you, and it's better for your team. Channel your inner Zuckerberg (as depicted in "The Social Network").
If you are good or truly talented at something, then people will notice over time. You don't really need to go advertising this fact. It looks a bit needy and most often suspect.
Self promoting might be less important than either speaking up the minute you feel screwed over or discreetly asking for opportunities - projects, accounts, promotions - the nanosecond they are available. Understand that bias exists and is easier to intercept than to indict.
