Mastering the Art of Sharing Your Success: How to Inspire and Connect

Stop downplaying your accomplishments. People won’t know about your achievements unless you share them.

Elena Volodina

Project Lead at Lady@Mail.Ru. Instagram profile — @joecooker.

Many of us were raised to be modest: raise your hand before speaking, knock politely before entering, and remember that modesty is a virtue while being a show-off is frowned upon. This mindset often makes it challenging to promote ourselves effectively. Yet, there’s nothing wrong with sharing your successes when done thoughtfully. Learning how to communicate your achievements properly is essential.

Recently, I had an insightful conversation with a young woman.

— I want recognition!

— From whom?

— From my friends. I want them to know I do meaningful and exciting work.

— How will they find out? Your field is quite specialized. Do they understand your work enough to appreciate it? Do they read industry journals?

— No.

— Then how do they learn about it?

— ...

— From you! So, what do you tell your friends about your work? It’s all about positioning. You can say, “I handle organizational stuff” (as you might think), or you can say, “I’m a specialist in document management and partner relations, helping a leading energy company manage key clients.”

Understanding Impostor Syndrome

Low self-esteem and feelings of insignificance often hold women back. Sheryl Sandberg, former COO of Facebook, highlights in her book "Lean In" that women typically apply for jobs only if they meet 100% of the qualifications, while men apply when they meet about 60%.

Impostor syndrome is a common phenomenon where capable individuals doubt themselves and fear being “found out.”

Signs of impostor syndrome include:

• Believing your success is due to luck;
• Feeling you don’t deserve your position and fearing exposure;
• Thinking you lack special skills or accomplishments;
• Struggling to identify what you’re proud of;
• Focusing on minor mistakes rather than major achievements;
• Not seeing yourself as indispensable.

In the TV series The Good Wife, a male lawyer tells a female colleague about two people accidentally bumping into each other on the street. One says, “I’m sorry,” while the other says, “Watch it!” The point is, are you someone who apologizes constantly or someone confident in your stance?

Craft Your Personal Story

Storytelling is a vital skill, even if you don’t aspire to be a writer. Begin by crafting your story in three formats:

• A one-sentence summary about yourself;
• A one-paragraph introduction suitable for a quick elevator pitch;
• A lighthearted one-paragraph story for social settings, like introducing yourself at a party.

This exercise can be surprisingly challenging but is invaluable. Being able to clearly express who you are, what you do, and your mission is empowering.

What Else Can You Share?

Professional Achievements

Highlight your contributions at work. Even if you think your role isn’t impactful, consider how your efforts help colleagues or the bigger picture.

Awards and Recognitions

Explore industry contests, rankings, and awards. Understand nomination criteria and deadlines, and prepare accordingly. Remember, self-nomination is common—don’t wait for luck to find you.

Conference Participation

Identify your expertise and seek opportunities to speak at conferences. This is a great way to showcase your skills and expand your network.

Personal Milestones

Personal achievements, such as completing marathons or mastering hobbies like floristry or cooking, reveal character and dedication beyond professional success.

Charitable Activities

Don’t shy away from sharing your involvement in charity. While some may see it as self-promotion, the key is that good deeds are done and can inspire others.

How to Get Noticed

Here are some effective ways to share your story:

Social Media

Maintain active and accessible profiles on major platforms. Consider your social media as your personal media outlet to share your journey.

Word of Mouth

Your reputation is shaped by what you share. Present yourself as a creative, dynamic individual eager to grow, not someone worn out and waiting for a break.

Expert Platforms

Engage with sites where journalists seek expert opinions. Position yourself as a go-to professional in your field.

Conferences

Public speaking can be intimidating, but developing this skill is invaluable for personal branding.

Internal Meetings

Share your successes with your team and supervisors regularly. Celebrate your wins as moments of joy, not bragging.

Fame and success require effort. Self-promotion is a skill anyone can learn. Why not start today?

*Note: Meta Platforms Inc. and its social networks Facebook and Instagram are restricted in some regions.

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