End of the Year Self Promoting

It’s that time of year when our bosses begin thinking about merit raises and holiday bonuses. Many of us are left in a quandary about how to self promote while some of us avoid doing it all together because we couldn’t stand to be that annoying braggart who makes us cringe each time he addresses the boss.

Forget about it!! In today’s corporate world you need to fight for what you deserve. Companies are looking for good reasons to cut expenses and if you don’t highlight what you’ve contributed you may be overlooked or given a small raise rather than the one you deserve. A recent article in the Wall Street Journal stated that those who hit the right notes with the boss receive raises averaging 5.6 percent where as those who don’t are likely to increase by only .5 percent. That’s a big difference!!

Remember that alpha males self promote among each other all the time. No doubt your alpha male colleague is going to be highlighting his contributions to your boss. To avoid being that annoying braggart I mentioned earlier avoid self promotion in front of your staff and peers. Go ahead and make sure to schedule one on one face time with your boss. Keep it brief. Remember alphas don’t like to waste time. Be clear, succinct, and direct about what you’ve accomplished individually or with your team in the last year. Highlight how your contributions align with the company’s goals. Stick to the bottom line and avoid listing every minute contribution. Your alpha boss will appreciate your direct nature and hear what you’re saying.