Let Your Wingman Talk to You to Sell Your Talent More Effectively
Self-promotion is a terrible opportunity. You know your talents, but when you talk about them, people inherently distrust your claims. When you need to get promoted, take a follower with you to make your report more credible.
As the blog Tips 99u points out, it’s natural not to trust a statement when the person making it is talking about himself. While it is sometimes unavoidable to talk about your own talents (for example, during a job interview), in a mixed company, a helper can help and take over. If someone who knows you can vouch for your talents, this may carry more weight than what comes out of your own mouth:
Any bragging that you want to show off your ability or accomplishment is likely to have more impact if you find a reliable follower to make statements on your behalf. This is where the alliances you create in your workplace or in your wider industry can be so important: having someone ready to sing your praises can be a powerful self-promotion tool.
Of course, this does not mean that you can never say anything good about yourself, but it is better to work in a team. It’s also a good idea to talk to those around you. If you increase the reputation of those you know, they will be able to lift you better. If you have a group of people that you work with often or know well, what is good for one of you is good for everyone.
The Bouncer’s Dilemma: How To Promote Yourself Without Being A Dork | 99u