| Lily is a lovely, talented graphic designer who works | | | | It's a very common phenomena observed when |
| for a vibrant top design studio downtown. Only a few | | | | people complain about not getting appropriate rewards |
| weeks after she has started, major clients begin | | | | for their hard and obviously successful work: Lily - like |
| requesting to work with her. They like Lily's fresh | | | | many other professionals , in particular women - trips |
| creative approach, her friendly appearance and | | | | over her own modesty. When we were kids we were |
| willingness to go the extra mile to achieve outstanding | | | | all told not to show off our achievements. We were |
| results for them. | | | | taught to be modest. Fair enough! No one likes people |
| Lily has every reason to be proud and happy. | | | | who boast with their achievements. |
| However, she's getting more and more exhausted, | | | | However, if you take this childhood lesson as seriously |
| depressed and frustrated, loosing enthusiasm for her | | | | as Lily, you might not get where you want to - |
| job. Why? Lily has noticed that while her colleagues | | | | especially in your career. If you want to get a better |
| are working at two, maximum three projects at a time | | | | job or your well deserved promotion, try this: |
| with at least one assistant by their side, Lily often has | | | | If you work hard for your success, simply say so |
| to manage up to five projects with no assistant at all. | | | | calmly and friendly and no one will take it as |
| "I don't know what to do", she sighs. "Sometimes I start | | | | showing-off. |
| work at 6 am and stay until way after midnight. But no | | | | If someone congratulates you, look him or her straight |
| one seems to notice, let alone care." To her it doesn't | | | | in the eye, smile and say: "Thank you. Yes, it took me |
| seem fair after all the good work she does and she is | | | | many hours and weekends to finish the project. I'm |
| eager to find out how she could bring the topic up in a | | | | really proud of the outcome and I am very happy that |
| conversation with her boss without sounding too | | | | you appreciate it." |
| desperate or angry. | | | | Delete sentences like "It was nothing" forever. Never |
| By the way, Lily's boss appreciates her and often | | | | ever downplay your success. If you downplay it |
| commends her youngest and most successful | | | | everyone else will. |
| designer in front of clients. When asked how Lily | | | | Workplace has become a fast paced and competitive |
| reacts to those compliments, her answer doesn't | | | | place. If you want that your success is being noticed |
| come as a surprise to an experienced career or | | | | you need to promote yourself. The good news is that |
| communication coach: "Mostly I say: 'It was nothing' or | | | | you can learn how to do that even if you're the kind of |
| 'It really wasn't a big deal'. I don't feel comfortable if she | | | | person who prefers not to stand in the spotlight. How? |
| makes such fuss about it." | | | | Get a communication coach who will show you simple |
| Tell me, if you were Lily's boss would you ask Lily | | | | and easy-to-use techniques how to talk about your |
| whether she needs any help when apparently she | | | | successes while feeling good about it. Enroll in a |
| achieves great success single handedly even when | | | | course that is specialised in the art of effective but |
| working on multiple projects with tight deadlines? My | | | | subtle self-promotion where you'll find great ideas and |
| guess: you would not and that is exactly the clue to | | | | also like minded people. |
| solving the problem. If you work hard and deliver good | | | | Good work resulting in excellent outcomes is worth to |
| results you need to learn to talk about them or they will | | | | be talked about. And so are you! Take action! Get |
| go unnoticed. | | | | your credits, get your promotion! You deserve it! |