Roberta Matuson* says in a perfect world your fantastic work will speak for itself — but this is not a perfect world.
Are you managing up? Then make some noise!
How do you feel when I say: “If you want to get ahead, you need to go out there and tell your boss, and the people you work with, that you’re good at your job?”
Does that make you uncomfortable — or you do dismiss it as nonsense?
In all the years I’ve been coaching, I have found the most challenging ideas for people to overcome are the myths about self-promotion.
Let’s look at one of the most common — and look for the truth.
You probably believe your work should speak for itself.
In an ideal world that might be true, but we don’t live in an ideal world.
We live in the real world where there is a tonne of distractions, and quite a bit of noise.
Not to mention, lots of other people vying for attention.
Think about some of the world’s most famous artists.
They spent days and nights creating masterpieces that weren’t acknowledged until long after they were gone.
If you’re like me, you don’t want to wait until you leave the planet before your work is acknowledged.
So next time you think your work will speak for itself, remember these artists and don’t rely on others to promote you.
You need to take the initiative to promote yourself and your work.
Think of yourself as a product on a shelf.
Do you really think your competitors are going to clear the way so you can be in everyone’s line of sight?
No, they’re not.
In order to get shelf-space in your organisation, you are going to have to fight for it.
Here’s one way to get your boss to take notice.
Volunteer to take on projects that no one else wants. Then do a bang up job.
Stay in close contact with your boss to ensure she’s aware of the effort you are extending and the results you are achieving.
When the project is done, request a meeting.
At the meeting, summarise the outstanding results you achieved and ask what else you can do to make her life easier.
*Roberta Matuson is president of Matuson Consulting which helps Fortune 500 companies and high growth businesses create workplaces that lead to results. She can be contacted at www.matusonconsulting.com.
This article first appeared on Roberta’s blogsite.
