Self-promotion is not something that many introverted women I come across feel comfortable doing. If it is uncomfortable for you too, by not doing so, you could be missing out on opportunities, or not getting the reward and recognition that you deserve.
Research suggests that extroverted employees receive more opportunities in the workplace because their performance is more visible. They are more likely to speak up and tell others about projects that they are working on or talk about their successes and achievements.
The problem for these introverted women is that they feel like they are invisible. As a result, they often get overlooked. They are not self-promoting. They are not doing activities that highlight their credibility and expertise. And they lack the ability to confidently talk about their successes and achievements.
They experience tiara syndrome, namely, expecting that their work will speak for itself and that they will get recognition for it. Often what happens is that someone else runs with their ideas. They do not understand that in order to be seen, to be heard, and to stand out and get the recognition and reward, they need to self-promote.
Well, they do, but self-promotion is something that they feel uncomfortable with, so they don’t do it. They feel uncomfortable putting the spotlight on themselves. They talk a lot about the ‘we’ and what the team has achieved.
Whilst it is good to acknowledge the team effort, too much of the ‘we’ can dilute the part you have played in what has been achieved. I have seen many situations where this has resulted in not getting promoted.
If this is all too familiar for you, a key principle is to talk about your successes and achievements, carry out profile raising activities, and to be visible. A helpful way to view it is that self-promotion does not have to feel like bragging or boasting.
It is important to realise that if you want to raise your profile as a leader and get ahead, getting comfortable with self-promotion is something that you would be wise to do. Here are some tips to help you with this:
Change your perspective
If you think of self-promotion as bragging or boasting, the thought of doing it is going to make you feel uncomfortable. If you view it being too much in the spotlight and being in the spotlight is something you don’t like, that too will feel uncomfortable.
First of all, if you are worried that you may come across as bragging or boasting, you are probably not the type of person that does. I do not ever recall coming across someone who does brag and boast who is concerned about it. Neither have they had that level of self-awareness that bragging and boasting is what they are doing. Or if they have, it hasn’t bothered them.
Rather than thinking that you are bragging or boasting, shift your perspective and see that you are only letting other people know about the difference made and the part that you played in it. Instead of thinking that the spotlight is on you, put the spotlight on the value that you have added. Remember, if you don’t let people know, how will they know about it?
Who needs to know?
Think about who needs to know about your successes and achievements. Whether you want a promotion, to make a career transition, or you simply want to raise your profile to get the recognition that you deserve, who needs to know?
Once you have identified those people who you want to know about it, look at how you can let them know.
Identify the platforms you are going to show up on
You could write articles and publish them on LinkedIn, or write articles for your company’s newsletter or website, or write for industry specific publications. Writing content that showcases your thought leadership whilst highlighting your achievements, is a great way to self-promote.
If writing is not your thing, utilise LinkedIn or other social media platforms and post about some of the things you have done. Do it in a way that engages your connections, whilst incorporating the value you added and the difference you made. If you can add a photo or video as well, even better.
Public speaking is a wonderful way to raise your profile, demonstrate credibility, expertise and thought leadership. Think of topics that you are passionate about that you can speak on. You could speak at industry events, professional association events, conferences, and so on.
If you’re not yet brave enough to do a long talk, start off as a panellist at a panel discussion. Or look out for podcasts that are looking for guest speakers. I frequently look for speakers for my Quietly Visible Podcast, and if you have an interesting story to share, apply to be a guest here and someone will get back to you.
Networking
Research suggests that women do not tap into their networks enough. When it comes to networking, some introverted women avoid it because they don’t like making small talk, and it can be energy draining.
If you don’t enjoy networking, find a way to do it that works for you. Rather than thinking you have to work the room speaking to lots of different people making small talk (you might feel drained just thinking about it), identify the people you want to connect with and engage in fewer more meaningful conversations.
Who within your network needs to know about what you are doing, what you are looking for, or what you have achieved? How can you communicate this to them?
If you are not getting the recognition that gives you the opportunities you want, don’t sit around in silence hoping your achievements will be recognised. Self-promote, raise your profile, and let your performance be seen.