Cosmopolitan UK - 04.2020

(backadmin) #1
IMPROVE YOUR
SELF-PROMOTION SKILLS
It’s tough, I get it, but reframe self-
promotion as simply stating the facts,
rather than bragging. Instead of opinion
statements like “I’m an innovative
designer”, explain what you did and
highlight the results with concrete
numbers and facts. For example,
“I was selected for X award, increased
revenue by X amount and here are

a few examples of client feedback.”
That’s not boasting – it’s the truth.
Remember: if you don’t promote
yourself, no one else will.

MAKE IT CLEAR WHEN YOU
ARE IN THE ZONE
Wearing noise-cancelling headphones
blocks out the chatter in a loud office,
but also signals to others that you
are concentrating on something

She had clocked something – I was staying


late because of my introversion; after the


office had emptied out, I was able to do


my best work. I’d had no idea.


I’m not alone in this: a third to half of


the population are thought to be introverts,


yet society tends to favour extroverts.


They are more likely to be chosen for


leadership roles (even though there is


no evidence they are better leaders), are


better at self-promotion (leading to more


recognition at work) and tend to have


wider social circles (which leads to more


opportunities and ideas). But this doesn’t


mean introverts are inferior. We are often


self-starters and independent thinkers who


are great at listening, observing and can


concentrate on one task for hours at a


time. We also tend to have big ideas and


offer unique perspectives, which come


from working alone.


Nonetheless, noisy, new-age, open-


plan offices with constant interruptions


and no quiet space can make being at


work a nightmare for us. But you can


thrive at work as an introvert – here’s


what I’ve learned...


I was 23 years


old when I first


discovered I was


an introvert. I’d


been working late


every night, and


one evening a


co-worker came


over to chat – and


began discussing


introverts and


extroverts.


PHOTOGRAPHS STOCKSY/CLIQUE IMAGES, STOCKSY/ULAS KESEBIR& MERVE TURKAN, GETTY IMAGES. IMAGE COMPOSITION COLIN
BEAGLEY; BIMMILL.CO.UK
Free download pdf