Brag like an American to get ahead at work

Last week in The Times, an interesting article made its way out and became a sensational piece almost instantaneously. There’s a saying that goes, “A good wine needs no bush”, which came from the days when there were no inn or shop signs as we know them now, so pubs and wine-sellers would advertise by hanging a clump of grapevine above their door. It means, if you’re the best, you don’t have to keep advertising the fact: people will hear about it anyway.

But apparently, nowadays if you want to get ahead in your career, there’s one thing you absolutely have to do: brag. You need to tell the whole world what you're doing.

Self-deprivation, hide-alight-under-a-bushel kind of behaviours have no space in the workplace. If you were voluntarily denying or suppressing your own interests or desires, you need to stop now. Adapt a thing or two from our fellow Americans_ boasting is the only way to get ahead.

You see, you’re the only

BY DAVIDSON LOUIS

Rachel Wolchin once said: “If we were meant to stay in one place, we’d have had roots instead of feet.” On this quest to self-discovery, TC Islander Davidson Louis vowed to travel, write, paint, laugh and forgive. Subsequently, he hopes to find himself and or, leave behind a few pieces of himself. Contact him at hello. octopen@tcinews.tc person who really knows how much you do and how hard you work. For instance, when your colleagues charge the door at 5 PM, they don’t know that you stay until 8 PM. When your boss is in Miami shopping, she doesn’t know you’re putting out fires at the office. So tell your truth.

Offer More Details

To promote yourself effectively, you need to explain what you’re doing without being obnoxious. So, for example, do not dominate the team meeting with a lengthy and detailed description of every single thing you did over the past week. However, don’t pass up opportunities to discuss important accomplishments, either—simply use a wellthought-out, succinct description.

Document Your Accomplishments

You also need to be able to eloquently put your accomplishments in writing. If you do not, no one else will.

TAKE ON HIGH-PROFILE PROJECTS

Just as grade-school teachers prefer students who sit up front in class and freely raise their hands to answer questions, bosses prefer employees who freely volunteer to take on difficult and high-profile projects. Be the one who gets difficult things done_ or at least tries.

Speak Up In Meetings

A business meeting is no place to be a shrinking violet. Do your homework, know your subject, and then make your views known in groups and in one-on-one meetings--with your boss, and with members of your team. Be careful, however, not to go overboard. Give others a chance to talk, too.

Take Credit For Your Accomplishments

While humility is a virtue, don't mistake being humble with the need to make sure that your boss knows that you are the one who accomplished something good for the company. Also, give credit to others.

Showcase Your Subject Matter Expertise

If you have become an expert on some work-related subject, then build your own personal brand by promoting that expertise to the outside world. Mediocrity is not a thing there, put your money where your mouth is.

Volunteer

Here’s another reason to boast. If you are part of any non-profit, never be afraid to mention that. Do not however mention how much you donate each year to charity, there is a fine line here. Do not cross it.

Limit How Many Times You Say Thank You

Being thankful is great, but there is a limit. At some point, you need to move away from your self-doubts. Accept your accomplishments and own your achievements. Say thank you once to those who have paved the way for you, but you do not need to thank them for the rest of your life.

In this dog-eat-dog world, if you can get ahead by boasting, who am I to stop you? Do let me know what you think at louisedens@gmail.com.