I’ve grappled with this question for some time. In my first book, I Wish I’d Known That Earlier, I wrote about the ‘power of self’, and of ‘team promotion.’ Both phrases remain important, but I now realize that the mere mention of such phrases can make others cringe.
I thought about new words or ways to explain self-promotion, and came up with the tried and true “elevator pitch”, which hardly translates easily, but is actually similar to “self-promotion.” There are cultural cues and rituals on elevators–where to stand, space requirements, eye contact, and conversational guidelines.
Both ‘self promotion’ and ‘elevator pitch’ are a lot of “me”, but the truth is that you must talk about yourself, particularly when it has to do with your career.
Some of us err on the side of being humble, others embellish and talk themselves up (according to western psychologists, most people exaggerate). Interestingly, I didn’t find this exaggerated quality in my research with Asian leaders. What I did find, however, was their ability to tell a genuine story, a combination of the humble and effusive leader.
Succinctly sharing your story and what you know sounds much better than “self-promotion”, doesn’t it?
Know how to tell your story and know your audience; if you’re not convinced, they won’t be, either. A genuine story is compelling, and draws others in.
If you’re in the midst of a career change, share your story with others. If you’re a new leader, share your story of why you’re here with a new team. An elevator pitch is not appropriate, nor a monologue.
We’re captivated by stories. Stories cut across culture, consistently used by leaders, educators and politicians alike.
When you can draw others in, you’re capturing their attention. A story moves beyond promoting oneself. It entwines us with others, to hear things in new ways.
Think less about yourself, and more on how you can genuinely engage with others around you.
Why not start your next meeting with a story and see where it takes you and your colleagues?
