Create Brand "You" to Claim Your Accomplishments

Do you work hard, solve problems, spot opportunities and drive results at work? If so, I have good news and bad news. The good news is you are what every company is looking for. The bad news? If you don’t speak up and claim your ideas, input and contributions, someone else will be happy to grab the credit.
 
Over the years, many of my female clients have told me that they aren’t as bold as they would like to be or as quick to “market” themselves. And make no mistake about it, you are in the marketing business and are building your personal brand—what we used to call reputation.
 
The question is, “How powerful is your brand?” Who knows about your achievements, contributions and value? Only those you communicate with, plainly and courageously. Recognition, rewards and promotions aren’t remembered as often as instances when you’ve asserted yourself.
 
You might think it’s your manager’s or colleague’s job to recognize you and to give you due credit—and in a perfect world you would have a point. But in reality, if you don’t promote yourself, you are just giving your power away. Can you afford to do that?
 
Women, in general, tend to be more collaborative and “we” oriented while men tend to be more competitive and “I” oriented. If you fit that generalization, you don’t have to go to the dark side, claiming all the credit and forgetting about everyone else. But if you fail to take credit for your contributions--in the name of being a part of the team--the team will gladly take what's yours.
 
To be remembered by the right people means you have to be seen and heard. You have to value yourself enough to speak up and own the credit you are due. After all, that's why we call it Brand "You."

-Alan Allared, Career Coach