SET AN EXAMPLE^201Review the differences among Passive, Aggressive, and Assertivebehaviors:- Passive: Say nothing, hint around the subject, and do nothing
directly. - Aggressive: Attack the person, moralize, and use put-downs.
- Assertive: Directly and honestly express your own feelings and
opinions.
Step 3: Now explore the advantages of self-promotion by making a defense
lawyer’s case as to why self-promotion is a good thing. Write the ideas
on a flipchart. Possible answers include:
- We need to be able to ask for what we want.
- There is value in having allies in the workplace.
- Appropriate self-promotion is a proactive strategy that enhances our
careers. - We need to display our skill because others may not be observant.
- The more I know about the business and its leaders the more effective
my contribution will be. - Self-promotion is an important skill and might be a necessary part of
my overall plan as a leader. - Other successful leaders are political.
- I can be appropriately political and assertive.
Step 4: Remind participants that they have heard prosecution and defense
arguments. Now ask them for their “verdict.” “How do we find on the
issue of self-promotion—for the Prosecution or for the Defense?” (Note:
In all the times we’ve done this activity, the Defense has won!)
Step 5: Summarize the verdict, and return to the arguments in favor of using it
as a leadership strategy. “Because we agree that self-promotion has some
value, we will now take time to develop a plan to promote ourselves.”
Steps to develop a Self-Promotion plan
- Review which aspects of self-promotion will contribute to leadership
development. Pass out sets of cards each one bearing a different title
from the list below. Ask participants to put the cards in three piles: the