I recently taught a seminar on "Shameless Self-Promotion" for women professionals. In my research, I've found that men are more comfortable sharing their accomplishments than women are And that's what self-promotion is all about - sharing your accomplishments and success stories.
BRAG is not a four-letter word
I LOVED this post by Karen Deis at Mortgage Girlfriends about a recent incident where she shared an impressive accomplishment, but was accused of "bragging" by a female reader.
“B-r-a-g” is NOT a 4-letter word!
I recently posted a comment my Facebook page that I was proud of the fact that during the month of June, my Twitter posts were re-tweeted 917 times.
But, my “pride bubble” burst when I got a private message (in so many words) telling me to “quit bragging”. It was from a woman (who I don’t know personally).
Then I noticed something.
Facebook is not about just a little, but a lot of bragging. So I took the time to count the “bragging” posts and guess what? There were 3 times as many “brags” posted by men than women!
I don’t know about you, but when I was a little girl (a very long time ago, ha, ha), I was told it was not polite to brag (people won’t like you if you brag). When I started working full time, I was told, in so many words, not to brag because if you do a good job, people will “eventually” notice you. Then this Facebook thingy…
So, I started to do some research! There is an “art” to it…and there is such a thing as “good” bragging and “bad” bragging. If you’re going to brag, you need to have a “connection” associated with the brag.
Bad bragging is what I did.
So, let’s talk about good bragging. I should have said something like “Just wanted you to know I started tweeting about the mortgage rules (www.twitter.com/mortgagecurrent) about 2 years ago and last month was thrilled that 917 people found the info so important, that they re-tweeted them.
Karen shares some fantastic advice, especially for women. How you share your accomplishments, aka "brag" is crucial. While no one likes someone who is boastful, women are judged especially harshly if they come across as bragging. Yet being confident and excelling at self-promotion requires women to step up and share their success stories.
In order to access the full post, you must be a Mortgage Girlfriend member. If you're a woman in the finance or mortgage industry, I highly recommend you join.
Women need to ask for a seat at the table
Another skill women can improve on is asking for a seat at the table, rather than waiting to be invited. Facebook's Sheryl Sandberg touches on this issue in her Ted talk - Why we have too few women leaders.
She shares a story of top female execs who chose to sit on the side during a major meeting rather than sitting at the main table.
Take these wise women's advice and ask for a seat at the table, and brag, in a good way, about the difference you make in the world.
Comments
I do not think it is about women having to brag more, I think it is about women allowing other women to brag more. The problem is not the bragger, instead it is the people that are threaten by a women showing that she has accomplished something.
Thanks for the blog... I "stepped out" on facebook when I posted that I had reached my 50lbs lost goal. I had almost dared myself to post it. It wasn't easy!
Just a note about the woman on your facebook that you don't know personally ~ I started something that has been very very freeing to me, and sets boundaries... facebook is PRIVATE ~ if you are on facebook, you know me, and you want to see pics of my daughter's wedding. It's my space for friends and family. Linked in is professional, I am on a site for weightloss and that's where they care if I said no to a second cookie and can give me a ^5 if I got out for my walk, and Twitter is a real mix (new to twitter to be honest).
The “bad bragging” and “good bragging” is a bit tricky since the difference between them is quite slim. But yes, I totally agree that there’s a way to say your accomplishments without sounding as if you’re bragging. It’s something that women can learn.
I also agree with the other comments here that a lot of factors are at play here – how other people see you, people’s personal feelings towards your success, other people’s attitude or mood etc. Sometimes even if you edit what you say as much as you can, there’s no pleasing everybody.
I find it really annoying when women or men brag. I have a friend who is always carrying on about how amazing she is and I'm thinking, yes you're gorgeous and men chase you and you are doing well in your career and you have money and yes people all LOOOOVE you sooo much because you're so full of wonderfulness, but seriously I'm yawning here. Don't you have something more meaningful to talk about. There's a hell of a lot more to the world then YOU.
Hi seen you! )One thing is for SURE about Ree Ree ONCE SEEN NEVER FORGOTTEN I have had the pleasure & plviirege to meet Ree Ree once in London on 14th August 2011- an experience I shall never forget even though I was only driving her! The name Ree Ree translates to ‘’the ultimate Wow Factor’’ – or may be ‘’the ultimate power house’’ or…… what the heck, why try to put a label on such an outgoing ‘real’ person.Was great to have the opportunity to be of service.Richard.
i got a tear remembering when my paige left to go to her dad's for crmisthas...oh, i hated that so much. i never feel complete without all the kiddos! as for you and spidey looking alike...you know i look way more like my non-bio kids than my bio ones! i'm just saying that it proves god's sense of humor! merry crmisthas!
Hold it, you lost over 110 pounds?! You dfteniiely deserve a brag and then some! That's phenomenal. I didn't know you before the weight loss so that was news to me. You look wonderful and those big eyes are pretty!Merry Christmas, my new bloggy friend!
I do not think it is about women having to brag more, I think it is about women allowing other women to brag more. The problem is not the bragger, instead it is the people that are threaten by a women showing that she has accomplished something.
Posted by: Samantha R | July 21, 2011 at 04:04 AM
Thanks for the blog... I "stepped out" on facebook when I posted that I had reached my 50lbs lost goal. I had almost dared myself to post it. It wasn't easy!
Just a note about the woman on your facebook that you don't know personally ~ I started something that has been very very freeing to me, and sets boundaries... facebook is PRIVATE ~ if you are on facebook, you know me, and you want to see pics of my daughter's wedding. It's my space for friends and family. Linked in is professional, I am on a site for weightloss and that's where they care if I said no to a second cookie and can give me a ^5 if I got out for my walk, and Twitter is a real mix (new to twitter to be honest).
By the way WTG on being RT so many times!
Posted by: Patti Arbon | October 04, 2011 at 11:27 PM
The “bad bragging” and “good bragging” is a bit tricky since the difference between them is quite slim. But yes, I totally agree that there’s a way to say your accomplishments without sounding as if you’re bragging. It’s something that women can learn.
I also agree with the other comments here that a lot of factors are at play here – how other people see you, people’s personal feelings towards your success, other people’s attitude or mood etc. Sometimes even if you edit what you say as much as you can, there’s no pleasing everybody.
Posted by: Tara Marino | November 18, 2011 at 06:19 AM
Feb22 OMG! Cool. Id love to read those too, if only to know how men ralley think, and then some. VS dont turn men on? Really? im soooo relieved!
Posted by: Gustavo | February 18, 2012 at 12:22 PM
I find it really annoying when women or men brag. I have a friend who is always carrying on about how amazing she is and I'm thinking, yes you're gorgeous and men chase you and you are doing well in your career and you have money and yes people all LOOOOVE you sooo much because you're so full of wonderfulness, but seriously I'm yawning here. Don't you have something more meaningful to talk about. There's a hell of a lot more to the world then YOU.
Posted by: iris | April 26, 2012 at 12:46 AM
I just love everything about you and your magazine! So inspiring!
Posted by: Ewal | July 25, 2012 at 08:11 PM
Hi seen you! )One thing is for SURE about Ree Ree ONCE SEEN NEVER FORGOTTEN I have had the pleasure & plviirege to meet Ree Ree once in London on 14th August 2011- an experience I shall never forget even though I was only driving her! The name Ree Ree translates to ‘’the ultimate Wow Factor’’ – or may be ‘’the ultimate power house’’ or…… what the heck, why try to put a label on such an outgoing ‘real’ person.Was great to have the opportunity to be of service.Richard.
Posted by: Negiko | September 22, 2012 at 08:58 PM
i got a tear remembering when my paige left to go to her dad's for crmisthas...oh, i hated that so much. i never feel complete without all the kiddos! as for you and spidey looking alike...you know i look way more like my non-bio kids than my bio ones! i'm just saying that it proves god's sense of humor! merry crmisthas!
Posted by: John | September 23, 2012 at 01:07 PM
Hold it, you lost over 110 pounds?! You dfteniiely deserve a brag and then some! That's phenomenal. I didn't know you before the weight loss so that was news to me. You look wonderful and those big eyes are pretty!Merry Christmas, my new bloggy friend!
Posted by: Drago | September 24, 2012 at 10:57 PM