Go Tell Your Boss How Fabulous You Are!

Frustration and more can set in when you know that your work is being done very well, your work relationships are solid, your collaborative instincts are on point, and the outcome and impact of your work is evident and it is all going unnoticed. We won’t explore why that is (and there are many whys!), but let’s focus on what you can control to ensure that you are seen for who you are and all that you bring to your job.

Start by asking yourself “how can I best show up for myself?” You are your best advocate and cheerleader. Or as Archita Fritz says, “Be your own champion!”

Use your voice to share your successes. In conversations with your boss and other influencers in your organization, share how your work has generated outcomes that support the goals of the organization. This isn’t boasting, it’s simply the truth of what your efforts are achieving.

Have key data points ready. Know your projects well enough that “on the fly” you can add elements of your work to conversations. Your message may not be the genesis of conversations but additive to what’s being shared. The point is that others will know what you’ve accomplished!

Be specific about your wins and repeat them often. Your boss is likely busy and distracted with many things. That’s no excuse but it could be your situation. A reminder of what you’ve accomplished may be just what is needed for your boss to connect the dots, acknowledge and verbalize their support and appreciation of you going forward.

Correct mistruths or incomplete information about your work. When spoken enough, what isn’t true can often become the truth. Right? Always speak up when the facts of your effort, how you completed your assignments and your accomplishments are inaccurate. If not you, then who?

Identify a mentor or internal influencer in your organization and ask for a bit of time on their calendar. Use that time to share your work and your career plans. Ask specifically about organization-wide goals that you may be unaware of. This may lead YOU to define and suggest projects to your boss that would greatly benefit your organization. Don’t wait to be selected – select yourself!

Meet with peers to learn about what key initiatives they are working on. The more you know, well, the more you know and there is only good in that! You may learn of a project where you would be a valuable partner and can elevate that to your boss.

Have a candid conversation with your boss about what’s missing in your relationship with them. A good conversation where you both share what you’re looking for and what you need in your relationship serves to set clear expectations. This give and take provides clarity about how you need to be managed to achieve your goals.

Use your voice, again. Your boss isn’t a mind-reader so don’t assume that they “get you” and “get it”. Don’t wait any longer to be noticed, especially by the person who holds the pen on your performance review, raise, bonus and promotion. Speak up for yourself. Be courageous in championing yourself. Don’t focus on what they are not doing; focus on what they could be doing to better support you. And then be sure to share back when things have improved for you.

In our highly competitive, incredibly busy and over-complicated workplaces, speaking up for yourself is a “must do”. Go tell yourself just how fabulous you are and then go tell your boss!