Marketing Yourself Truthfully
Are you as effective as you say you are?
When most of us talk about our work we are the equivalent of a workplace eHarmony self-description. We are effective, hard working, have a good sense of humor, dislike gossip and have a better understanding of the job than most other people. We certainly know more than the boss.
The reality may be far from all of that, but that is what we tell our friends and family. If they believe us they probably wonder how we are able to tolerate being the only brilliant person in the organization–especially when we are treated so unfairly.
I’m not suggesting that you tell the exact truth to those you want to impress. “Actually, I’m an obnoxious, malingering backstabber who drags everyone down.” I’m suggesting that you become as good as you say you are.
*Do you think you are the kind of person who can solve problems? What’s a problem you’ve effectively solved in the last few weeks? (The key word there is effectively.)
*Do you think you work well with others? When has been a time in the last few weeks when someone else might not have handled a situation well but you were able to work effectively and build a bridge instead of a barrier?
*Do people think of you as a leader? What is a positive thing you have led others to do or be?
*Do you say you believe in personal and professional development? What is a negative trait you have overcome? What is a trait you are seriously working on right now? What have you done to learn more about your work and be more effective in it, other than learning from the mistakes you’ve made?
*Do you think you are an effective supervisor? What are some specific things that you have done in the last week that could provide proof of that?
The bottom line is simply this: Anyone can say how good they are at work. They may even intend to be as good as they say they are. But if there aren’t any ready examples, it probably isn’t reality.
There is as time and place for confident statements about what we do and what we can do. Just be sure you can prove it with examples of what you have done.
I love the ad! Canker sours???????
So, I walked over to someone and said, “Do you think you’re a hard worker?” She said, “Yes.” I said, Can you prove it? And she said, yes because I read Tina Rowe’s blog at home and you read it at work. OLOL!
Comment by denisek | February 13, 2011
Tina says: Yes, I noticed the word “sours” too. I can’t find that it was some old style way of spelling it, so I think it was just a misspelling. As for you reading my site at work…I know you can look at the Internet on this shift, but don’t over-do it!
Comment by TLR | February 13, 2011
This is an excellent article, Tina. When people talk to me about their many skills I often ask them to tell me three or four specific accomplishments someone with lesser skill could not have done as well. Some people immediately have a list, often with examples they can show me. Many people have to think for some time to come up with even one thing.
Happy Valentine’s Day!
Comment by Careerist | February 14, 2011
Hello Tina! Great site you have here. I can see why you say you stay busy! This article reminds me of something my dad used to say, which was “Give me a for instance.” He always said he avoided a lot of mistaken assumptions by asking people to give him an example of what they were talking about. I’ve heard him say, “give me a for instance” a bazillion times! Sounds like what you are talking about. Cheers!
Comment by Jim S. | February 14, 2011
My sister reminded me that I quoted my dad wrong.
He would say, “Gimmea fer’nstance.”
(Kansas farm boy, remember!)
Comment by Jim S. | February 14, 2011
Tina says: Thank you Jim for the first comment and especially the second one! What a fun memory and how correct your dad was! Thanks for sharing!
Comment by TLR | February 14, 2011