You did the work, now say the words
Let me tell you about the time I almost talked myself out of celebrating a win. I'd just wrapped up a project that had gone brilliantly - tight deadlines met, rave feedback from stakeholders, and measurable impact. But when someone asked me about it, my instinct was to downplay: "Oh, it was a team effort, nothing major."
What changed? I quickly realised that downplaying my contributions didn’t make me humble; it made me invisible. So, the next time someone asked, I practiced saying it differently: "I’m really proud of that project. It was a complex brief, but we delivered ahead of schedule, and the feedback has been incredible." It felt awkward at first, but over time, it shifted how I saw my own achievements, and how others saw me too. Owning your brilliance isn’t arrogance; it’s clarity.
Bragging gets a bad rap, often tangled up with images of arrogance or self-importance. But when done right, it’s not about ego; it’s about visibility, impact, and self-advocacy. In fact, it's critical for career growth and personal confidence. If you want to dive deeper, check out our WorkWell podcast episode, Bragging Rights (and Wrongs) above, where we unpack this topic in detail.
Why self-promotion feels hard
There are plenty of reasons why shouting about your achievements can feel awkward:
Cultural conditioning: Many of us were taught to stay humble, especially women and people from marginalised groups.
Imposter syndrome: That sneaky feeling of not being ‘good enough’ makes self-promotion feel fraudulent.
Fear of judgment: Worries about sounding arrogant or self-absorbed.
Perfectionism: The belief that something has to be flawless before it's worth sharing.
But here’s the thing: staying silent doesn’t serve you. It leaves space for others to define your narrative - and they might not get it right.
The power of visibility
Visibility isn’t just about getting noticed; it’s about creating opportunities. The more people see and hear from you, the more they trust your expertise. This is thanks to the Mere Exposure Effect (thanks, psychology), which says that the more we're exposed to something, the more we tend to like it.
And don’t worry, people aren’t scrutinising you as much as you think. Enter the Spotlight Effect, which tricks us into believing everyone is hyper-focused on our every move. Spoiler: they're not. Most people are too busy worrying about their own spotlight to even have an opinion about yours!
Brag better with the 3 P's
The 3 P's are highlights from our Own Your Brilliance methodology, designed to help you brag with confidence and authenticity:
Pride: Own your achievements unapologetically. You did the work; you deserve the credit. Write down your wins and reflect on the impact you’ve made.
Purpose: Tailor your message to your audience. Bragging to your boss about a project might sound different than sharing it on LinkedIn.
Presentation: Keep it authentic. Your voice, your style. Use storytelling, acknowledge your team where relevant, and let your genuine pride shine through.
If you’re ready to master this, our Own Your Brilliance course is designed to take you deeper. It’s packed with strategies and exercises to help you feel confident sharing your wins. Want a little bonus? Use the code OWNIT10 for 10% off. This code is valid until February 28th 2025 - because your brilliance deserves to be seen sooner, not later. Click here to learn more.
Self-promotion in practice: lessons from the experts
If you’re still feeling unsure, consider Brené Brown’s work in Daring Greatly. She explores how vulnerability isn’t a weakness but a form of courage - and what is bragging, if not the courage to be seen?
Or take Meredith Fineman's Brag Better, which reframes bragging as a skill, not a personality trait. Fineman's advice? "Be loud about the things you’re proud of." Simple, powerful, and true.
Your challenge, should you wish to accept it
This week, I challenge you to share one win. It could be as simple as telling a friend about something you’re proud of, posting on LinkedIn, or even sending me a DM. Start small, start authentic, but start. Because your brilliance deserves to be seen. Think of it like a peacock that never opens its feathers - the beauty is there, but the world can only appreciate it when it's fully shown. And when we own our achievements, we inspire others to do the same, because working well starts with showing up as our fullest, most authentic selves.
