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[00:00:00]Gillian: Ever felt that sting of regret downplaying an accomplishment only to watch others claim the spotlight. That frustrating feeling of wondering why they succeed seamlessly, while you let recognition slip through your fingers. Well, if this hits close to home, then you're in for a treat. This episode is tailor-made for you where I dive deep into the art of strategic self-promotion.

[00:00:25] So get ready to turn the tables and claim the acknowledgement you truly deserve.

[00:00:31] Hello everyone. And welcome to another episode of the Your Brilliant Career podcast. So, I hear time and again, how much women hate promoting themselves and I get it, but this is also coupled with this desire to be seen, heard, and feel valued. And so you should want all of those things. I would even suggest you wouldn't be here listening to this episode if you didn't believe that you deserve more recognition.

[00:01:49] I think the stumbling block for many women is how to go about it, like how to self-promote, how to be recognized in the right way without turning into someone you don't like or not feeling authentic. So as I do, I'm going to take you through step-by-step practical ways to strategically self-promote in the workplace.

[00:02:12] And in addition to that, I have a comprehensive free guide available to you on how to self-promote effectively and it is packed with 20 pages of valuable information, scripts, you name it. So, it's got six ready to use scripts. I love scripts because I believe they get you more action oriented, and these scripts are designed to showcase your achievements at work.

[00:02:37] They include the language that enables you to do that in a credible and professional way. And I'm going to share a couple of examples at the back end of today's episode. So make the most of this opportunity. You know, that helping you out and helping you be your best is definitely my jam, but I want you to know that this is just a sneak peek of what you can expect in the RISE Accelerate program.

[00:03:04] So RISE is my signature career program where I go all out. I really do go all out in providing you with the tools and resources to boost your career. It is a 90 day career program that sees women promoted. It sees them overcome self-doubt and imposter syndrome. It sees them speaking up and getting visibility opportunities at work that they didn't think was possible, and they do it with ease and elegance because they learn how, and that's the way we like to do things.

[00:03:35] I have to say that RISE is on my mind a lot right now, because behind the scenes here at the Your Brilliant Career headquarters, we are preparing for next year. And just a little quiet heads up we've got some incredible bonuses and exciting plans lined up for the next RISE Accelerate campaign that will definitely pique your interest. But here's the catch. To be part of the action, you've got to secure your spot on the RISE Accelerate waiting list. So by simply joining the waiting list, nothing else, you will gain exclusive access to invites and opportunities for our bonus products.

[00:04:18] There's a whole heap of things that will advantage you by doing that. So there's a ton of incredible value and opportunity waiting for you. If you're keen on the sound of this, take the plunge and head over to yourbrilliantcareer.com au. Go straight to the RISE Accelerate page. And hit that jump on the wait list button at the bottom of the page.

[00:04:41] And don't miss out. Enough about that. Let's refocus on the topic of self-promotion and the emotional struggles that many women face, and perhaps you've experienced that love hate relationship with self-promotion.

[00:04:58] I know I have, I remember, you know, back in my corporate career, that struggle as well. But here's the thing, we can't overlook the challenges that self-promotion poses, especially for professional women in the workplace. So balancing the desire for recognition with the fear of appearing arrogant or making others feel inadequate.

[00:05:18] It can be quite daunting, right? But here's some interesting facts for you. Research validates that women often hesitate to showcase their achievements for fear of leaving others behind. But I want you to shine brightly. And further to that, societal norms also whispers in our ears, telling us to stay in the shadows.

[00:05:41] They team up with that annoying imposter syndrome, you know, the one that questions our every move and success. Yep, it’s like navigating through a tricky maze sometimes. So if you find self-promotion to be a bit of an uphill battle, you’re not alone. However, and here's the most important part, it doesn't mean it has to be that way.

[00:06:02] And this is where I want to reset. So in this episode, I'll give you a taste of how you can effectively demonstrate your value at work and earn the recognition you rightfully deserve. So I'm going to be sharing some of my tried and tested strategies.

[00:06:19] I'm going to be highlighting how advocating for yourself is not only vital, but it's a game changer for your professional growth. Like I really want you to walk away with an appetite wanting to do this. I want to start by exploring some of the limiting thinking or the self-promotion barriers, the narrative or the belief that women hold close to them, that actually stop them from even trying to understand how they could self-promote in the background. I just want to go into that because I do feel I hear the same messages over and over again.

[00:06:57] And with those beliefs, there's not the willingness to step in and actually even try. And I do get it. I've had countless women pour their hearts out to me that they hate self promoting and probably the biggest statement that I hear more than anything else is this, I hate the idea of self-promoting.

[00:07:17] It doesn't feel authentic to me. I don't want to do it. It's not who I am. It feels cringeworthy to them. They perceive it like they're shouting from the rooftops, and they don't want to come across as pushy or full of themselves. Right. And I understand that. But here's the challenge and here's the mindset shift I’d invite you to consider. What if self-promotion wasn't a dirty word, but what if we got very pragmatic about things? What if it's all about showcasing what you bring to the table, your value, your contributions. Would that feel different? I think it feels very different. It's almost like redefining the meaning of self-promotion in a way that allows you to invite it in without that resistance.

[00:08:05] So think of it this way. Do I value my work? Do I want to think about myself as a high achiever who can elegantly showcase their value, a businesswoman who can speak up and elegantly communicate their accomplishments and contributions? Yeah. Now, if that sounds palatable to you, then I have to say, that's a mini breakthrough and the next step is refining your language on how to do that. And I'll get to that part shortly. So step one around this is the way we're thinking about self-promotion. But let me hit you up with a couple of other big thoughts or beliefs that I think stop women entering this territory.

[00:08:46] So the next one is, isn't it better to share the credit? It's a sentiment I often hear, and women often believe that it's best to share the credit to be inclusive. And while of course that's commendable, but going overboard can sometimes mean your contributions become invisible. And I've seen so many talented women echo this sentiment, but in practice, they push their accomplishments to the background, allowing the team, you know, to take that success, to overshadow their individual contribution.

[00:09:24] And let me be clear here. This can overshadow your prospects for advancement and personal growth within the organisation. So let me give you a new way of thinking here. By shining a light on your own achievements, you’re not dimming anyone else's. In fact, you're setting a gold standard for your entire team.

[00:09:46] So by acknowledging your role in these accomplishments, you not only validate your efforts, but also inspire others to strive for excellence. And that makes you an excellent leader and person to be around.

[00:10:39] Let me give you one more because I want to cover all of these off. I want to debunk some of these limiting beliefs. I hear this all the time too people who self-promote are vain and they think they're better. Now we've all encountered that person at work who seems overly keen to sing their own praises and the experience can leave a sour taste. And it's people like them who can deter women like you from championing their own achievements.

[00:10:32] And I think it often comes from a fear of seeming arrogant. So here's another way of thinking. Say to yourself, I am not the stereotype. I can learn to share my accomplishments with grace and humility. And you can, today is going to get you moving with that. And you can do this and you're going to have the guide as well.

[00:10:58] So let me say that again. I am not the stereotype. I can learn to share my accomplishments with grace and humility. So by confidently sharing your accomplishments with grace and humility, you can demonstrate your capabilities and contributions. You can gain the recognition and opportunities you deserve in your career.

[00:11:21] And in the RISE Accelerate program, you'll hear me say this a lot, you know, how you can deliver messages elegantly without turning into someone you don't like. It is a skill and you need to acquire the skill. It doesn't necessarily come naturally to everyone and no one teaches you it, not even in an inorganisation program.

[00:11:41] So it is something that you have to want to get right, get an appetite for actually wanting to integrate into your style. So we've debunked a few limiting beliefs. Now let's dive into two secret weapons that will truly elevate the way that you convey your message. And first up, we cannot ignore this, and it's the power of storytelling. Now consider that moment, when your work or your contribution made a significant impact in a tough situation. It could be that time you took on an extra challenge. Maybe you brainstormed an innovative idea. Maybe you crafted that stellar communication plan.

[00:12:27] The crucial point here is not just to narrate what you did, which is so easy to do right? But to craft a story that embodies your resilience, your strategic acumen and your overall savvy. So let me paint a picture with a solid example. Imagine facing a major hurdle at work, one that seemed almost impossible to overcome, but you do. So when it comes to conveying that experience, you want to highlight, include in your storytelling, the broader business context, so people appreciate those aspects, how you overcame the challenge, and also showcase your enthusiasm.

[00:13:07] Okay, I'm going to talk more about enthusiasm when we get to scripts. But the thing is here, storytelling is super important, and it takes practice, so don't dismiss it. And I do understand that sometimes you might say, I haven't got the time for storytelling in this particular business situation.

[00:13:25] Well, that's okay. You don't have to storytell in every single business situation, but start to observe people, successful people, in your business who do use storytelling to showcase their accomplishments and I think you might be surprised. So you can do long versions, shorter versions, but storytelling makes it memorable, repeatable to others.

[00:13:46] And when that happens, the word gets out and your accomplishment has more visibility. The other strategy. Is a personal favourite of mine, and it's so powerful and quick to relay and it's incorporating data. So data can make anyone sit up and take notice.

[00:14:06] It really can, for instance, if you implemented a cost-saving strategy that led to a 20 percent reduction in operational expenses, presenting these specific figures can underscore the tangible impact of your contribution. Undisputedly, It's so powerful. So let the numbers speak for your achievements and I promise you it will really pack a punch and enable a more compelling business case to showcase your contributions.

[00:14:35] So there's a couple of things, storytelling and data. So essential. If you're going to do this well. Next I want to talk about language and I'm going to do this through sharing some examples, And at the end of each example, I'm going to talk about why I think they work.

[00:14:54] All right. So the first one sounds like this, alright. I want you to imagine I'm in a meeting with a senior stakeholder and I want to give visibility to my involvement in a project and how I'm driving results. So I want to jump in and, give this update. This is what I'm going to say. You know, I just had to share this with you. Remember when we last spoke, I mentioned the work I was doing with the Ops team. It was all about helping them introduce a few new ideas to support the new enterprise resource planning system. Their concern was that they hadn't considered the impact of the finance department. Well, yesterday I got an email from Tom, and he was genuinely enthused about what I presented and wants to meet next week. I think if we can get this right, we have a good chance of getting this system embedded into the finance unit before the year closes. I'll keep you posted on how things unfold.

[00:16:22] Now, a few things to note there. First of all, there was a bit of storytelling there, providing the context, building it up, not in a fanciful way, it was all facts.

[00:16:33] It was also collaborative. We mentioned Tom and other departments. And yet the core message is that this is your initiative. You are leading here. Okay. And in that way, it showcases your accomplishments very nicely. Let's look at another example. And this time a meeting scenario. Yeah. So not a one-on-one. You might say something like this.

[00:16:22] I just want to jump in because I've got some exciting figures to share. So last month I led a project that bumped up efficiency by 15%. The dedication from my team and everyone has contributed to that result. We're already envisioning even more progress and I am personally aiming for a 90 percent surge by the end of the quarter.

[00:16:44] Now things to note here. First of all, enthusiasm. I do love enthusiasm. It conveys commitment and a great attitude. Okay. The second thing is I use data. Data makes it powerful. It makes it repeatable. People say those figures again beyond the meeting. And the message is inclusive of others without deflecting that you led the initiative.

[00:17:09] That sentence, I am personally aiming for a 90 percent surge by the end of the quarter. It shows initiative and ambition, like you own it. Now I feel there's a few good things there to get you moving on this and I want to wrap up today. But my core message to you is this, that strategic self-promotion, it's not about arrogance.

[00:17:34] It's not about overshadowing others. It's about claiming your space, recognizing your worth and contributing to a work culture that values individual achievements. And by embracing the power of storytelling and really using that data effectively, you can authentically highlight your contributions. So don't shy away from it.

[00:17:58] Remember, the key lies in confidently and gracefully sharing your accomplishments, understanding the value that you bring to the table and setting an example for others to follow. So don't forget to download our free guide on effective self-promotion. It's called Confident, Not Cocky: The Executive Woman's Guide to Strategic Self-Promotion.

[00:18:22] And it includes six ready-to-use scripts to showcase your achievements at work. It's a brilliant 20-page guide, and I'm going to leave the link in the show notes for you to access. And it expands on everything we've talked about today. It's more comprehensive. So, go get it. Don't just listen to it and be inspired. Go take some action around it. Additionally, secure your spot on the RISE Accelerate waiting list for exclusive access to upcoming resources and exciting bonuses. So visit yourbrilliantcareer.com.au and click on jump on the waitlist to be part of the action.

[00:19:03] Thank you. As always for tuning in. I look forward to inspiring you further in our next episode. Remember you are capable, you are deserving, and you have the potential to achieve great things in your career. Thanks again. And I will see you very soon.