EPISODE 49 (50) HORN BLOWER - show how you add value and why modesty can backfire

At work, should you boast or blow your horn like Muhammad Ali? Is that the best way to make people realise what a valuable contribution you’re making? Or is boasting at work wrong, even obnoxious?

Andrew starts this week's Episode on boasting at work with a reality check. He says, if you don’t tell people what you’re doing or the great work you’re achieving, how are they supposed to know?

Suppose a task needs your attention outside of regular working hours.  Will your supervisor know that you’re doing this he asks? 

Unless you share what’s happening, your senior colleague may never realise the extraordinary effort you’re making.  It can therefore be a mistake and harm your chances of succeeding at work by not revealing that you’re going that extra mile.

Incidentally, if you haven’t already heard it, visit the Podcast website and listen to episode 37 on The Extra Mile. Its Ad free, and you may find it helpful.

Early on, we learn to refrain from boasting. Instead, we’re encouraged to be modest and urged not to blow our own horns.  Widespread disapproval of self-praise may stem from a cultural bias.  For example, Sweden is one of the most innovative countries globally. Yet its business culture deplores showing off. Sweden believes in “Keeping boasting to a minimum and finding a consensus, so everybody is on the same page." 

That tells us something useful about the whole practice of blowing your own horn. There’s good boasting and unacceptable boasting. When or whether to blow your own horn needs to be carefully calibrated.

What makes boasting acceptable is when as human beings, we have an urge to be recognised and rewarded in some way for our efforts.

Most big achievements at work come from a team effort. This seldom depends on one talented individual. It can take a whole group working in concert to get something important done.

Sensible boasting at work is, therefore, best based on joint celebrations. Nobody claims more than their fair share of credits. It’s humanity rewarding itself with uncontrolled and heart-warming bragging about their achievements—something everyone can enjoy.

On the other hand, isn’t there something obnoxious about a colleague walking around with a smirk and a ‘know-it-all attitude? There’s a big difference between bragging and informing and between celebrating and boasting.

Bragging is talking yourself up, like a walking advertisement. You insist th

Can't wait for Series 2 to run its course? Then buy Andrew's new book, published on Amazon, and there's also an Audio version. Further reading and videos: Andrew recommends some useful follow-through material which you can find for each episode at

www.myhappinessatwork.com/reading/categories/research-reading

and

www.myhappinessatwork.com/watch. BOOK: The 50 Ways to Succeed at Work book is a standalone companion to Andrew Leigh's weekly podcasts. It's an essential resource for all job starters and those at work for a few years. Dip in and out and take what seems helpful.

www.myhappinessatwork.com/book