A lot of people hear that phrase and immediately picture someone confidently presenting their achievements in a meeting while everyone nods in admiration.

Meanwhile, a large portion of the workforce would rather reorganize their entire desktop than say something like:

“Just wanted to highlight the work I did on this.”

For many professionals, speaking up about your own contributions feels… weird. I’ve literally seen people’s souls leave their bodies when they are asked to even speak about themselves in a positive manner.

The weirdness is usually because you were taught that good work should “speak for itself”. Or that pointing out your role in something sounds like bragging.

Unfortunately, corporate environments are not particularly skilled at mind-reading. Especially your manager…I’ll say this again. ESPECIALLY your manager.

If the work stays invisible, the impact often does too.

This issue is for the people who contribute a lot but feel mildly allergic to talking about themselves.

Let’s try to make it easier.

1. No need for a TED Talk

Instead of overthinking the delivery, keep it simple:

Try:

You’re sharing information. “Keep it cute,” as my niece would say.

2. When you want credit without sounding dramatic

A simple acknowledgment of involvement works well:

Try:

You’ve just established ownership without monologuing.

3. When someone else presents your work without mentioning you

This happens more often than people realize. Infuriating every single time.

Instead of letting it sit:

Try:

Direct. Calm. Clear.

4. When your manager asks what you’re working on

Many people panic and say something vague like “just a few things.”

That helps no one...not a single soul

Try:

Now your manager knows where your time is going.

5. When you need to advocate for your growth

Instead of waiting for someone to notice…which you should never be waiting on anyone to notice… you hear me?!:

Try:

You’re opening a door without forcing the conversation.

Assuming someone else will point out your contributions.

There’s a quiet hope many professionals carry into meetings and updates: someone else will acknowledge the work. A manager will highlight it, a colleague will mention it, the results will speak loudly enough.

Occasionally...and I mean occasionally, that happens, but most of the time everyone is focused on their own deliverables.

Self-advocacy fills the gap between good work and visible work.

If speaking up about your work feels uncomfortable, you’re absolutely not alone.

A lot of people associate self-advocacy with ego, arrogance, bragging…
In reality, you are just providing clarity to what you have done.

Keep in mind teams actually do function better when people understand who contributed what.

For anyone who goes down a rabbit hole in their mind before speaking up in meetings or updates:

Try reminding yourself of one of these:

Listen… let me be clear…. I am not saying you have to become the loudest person in the meeting.

I’m just saying you have to exist in it.

If you’ve found a way to speak up that still feels natural, I’d love to hear about it.

Sometimes the smallest scripts make the biggest difference.

May your work be visible and your meetings mercifully short.

P.S.

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