In Self-Promotion for Introverts®, business communication coach and intrepid introvert Nancy Ancowitz helps introverts tap into their quiet strengths, articulate their accomplishments, and launch an action plan for climbing to new heights in your career.
Q & A with the Author
Thank You, Nancy! Everyone, this advice transcends the introvert / extrovert label. You will benefit from the how-to nature of the Self-Promotion expertise.
Women's Ally:
We've all seen (or worse yet, experienced) someone, who has accomplished little or nothing, get job opportunities and promotions instead of those who were more deserving. Since we shouldn't assume that our great work speaks for itself, can you give a suggestion on how we should think differently about attracting attention to our work? (The days of good work being 'enough' to garner recognition appear long gone.)
Nancy0Ancowitz:
If you're an introvert, you're more of a deep sea diver than a snorkeler. You get absorbed in activities - like research, deep conversation, and writing in-depth reports - while some of your colleagues are collecting brownie points just for showing up. However, getting recognition is vital to your career, so it's important to surface to spread the word about your wins or you may get passed up for promotions and other opportunities.
So don't neglect to add this indispensable item to your "to do" list: Tell others what you've accomplished. Regularly. Not just when it's time to look for a job. Make a habit of balancing what you're doing with spreading the word about it.
You can do that in many ways, including by e-mailing your boss a weekly update, getting one-on-one face time with your key stakeholders, making updates on the likes of LinkedIn, and writing for one of your organization's or industry's publications. You'll find the right outlet. What's most important is building a habit of "telling" to counterbalance all you're "doing."
Women'sAlly:
By the title "Self-Promotion for Introverts" you clearly see a difference in self promotion between introverts and extroverts. What about between men and women? (Women tend not to toot own horn.)
Nancy Ancowitz:
Stereotypes of aggressive women executives are pervasive. And role models of successful women who get ahead by promoting themselves palatably can be hard to come by. As a woman in business, you may get mixed signals about what is acceptable to say and do when you promote yourself. Yet, averted eyes, a limp handshake, and hushed tones are unlikely to help you advance in your career.
It's crucial to your career to spread the word about what you've got that your stakeholders need. You can do so without bragging. Become comfortable in your skin as a woman, an introvert, and/or however else you identify yourself. If you're not there yet, act as if you are. Self-promotion becomes much easier when you focus on just stating the facts, generously sharing information, introductions, and insights, as well as asking for referrals and recommendations.
Women'sAlly:
For our managers out there, is there something we should be doing to create an opportunity for our employees and to help them nail self promotion in a humble way?
Nancy Ancowitz:
A good manager provides the tools and support for her team to flourish. You ensure they get the training they need in presentation skills so they can speak effectively at meetings. You credit them publicly and give constructive feedback privately to help them grow. You serve as a role model of self-promotion that is appropriate within your organization's culture. You introduce your team members to mentors who can serve as sounding boards. Additionally, you support your staff in creating development plans for their careers. As part of that, you help them figure out how to become more visible in the organization as well as in the field. If members of your team are introverts, they may do best spreading the word about their accomplishments in written form and in small meeting settings.
A business communication coach specializing in career advancement and presentation skills and author of Self-Promotion for Introverts®: The Quiet Guide to Getting Ahead
(McGraw-Hill), Nancy Ancowitz is a thinking partner and stalwart
supporter for her clients, who range from CEOs to emerging leaders in
the business and creative worlds. Ancowitz is an adjunct instructor at
New York University, where she teaches Self-Promotion for Introverts®,
presentation skills, interview skills, and communication skills; she's
also spoken at the Smithsonian Institution, the US Navy, and a wide
range of corporate and professional organizations. Ancowitz's background
includes 12 years in the corporate world, most recently as a marketing
vice president at JP Morgan Chase & Co.; she has also been an
independent jewelry designer with major retail clients. Ancowitz is a blogger for Psychology Today and she's appeared in the New York Times, the Los Angeles Times, the Wall Street Journal, Inc.com, CareerBuilder.com, Monster.com, CNN.com, WABC-TV, 1010 WINS radio, BusinessWeek (podcast), Marie Claire, Self, and Woman's Day. For more information: www.selfpromotionforintroverts.com.
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A business communication coach specializing in career advancement and presentation skills and author of Self-Promotion for Introverts®: The Quiet Guide to Getting Ahead
(McGraw-Hill), Nancy Ancowitz is a thinking partner and stalwart
supporter for her clients, who range from CEOs to emerging leaders in
the business and creative worlds. Ancowitz is an adjunct instructor at
New York University, where she teaches Self-Promotion for Introverts®,
presentation skills, interview skills, and communication skills; she's
also spoken at the Smithsonian Institution, the US Navy, and a wide
range of corporate and professional organizations. Ancowitz's background
includes 12 years in the corporate world, most recently as a marketing
vice president at JP Morgan Chase & Co.; she has also been an
independent jewelry designer with major retail clients. Ancowitz is a blogger for Psychology Today and she's appeared in the New York Times, the Los Angeles Times, the Wall Street Journal, Inc.com, CareerBuilder.com, Monster.com, CNN.com, WABC-TV, 1010 WINS radio, BusinessWeek (podcast), Marie Claire, Self, and Woman's Day. For more information: www.selfpromotionforintroverts.com.