I recently decided that I needed to improve my social-media networking, so I joined LinkedIn.
If you are familiar with LinkedIn, there is a section for you to summarize your career successes and experiences—“a bragologue.” This section would have been difficult for me. However, I had just finished reading Peggy Klaus’ book, Brag! The Art of Tooting Your Own Horn Without Blowing It.”
From this book, the HR Practitioner will learn the fine art of bragging. Yes, it is an art. We have all encountered people who lack this skill and come across as self-centered, braggadocio, or conceited. As Ms. Klaus explains, “At its core, bragging is a very individual form of self-expression and communication.”
In most organizations, the HR department is not usually viewed as a revenue-generating department. Therefore, the HR Practitioner has to constantly find unique and convincing ways to show that we do add value and revenue to the bottom line.
Yet, this can be a bit of a challenge for us. In most cases, the majority of our accomplishments cannot always be attached to a dollar figure. For this reason, it is imperative that we lean how to effectively use “bragbites” to showcase our achievements and the resulting profits.
When we are unable to brag effectively, it often results in our budgets being cut, our teams being cut, and possibly our own jobs being cut. Thus, learning to brag is essential not only to our departments, but to our own career success. If we fail to let those responsible for promotions and raises know of our accomplishments, someone else will get promoted or get a raise.
In her book, Ms. Klaus invites the HR Practitioner to begin the process of creating a bragologue (a three-minute monologue of information about one’s self that is conveyed in a conversational, story-like fashion that’s memorable and elicits interest, excitement, and/or admiration). The “Take 12” questionnaire, a self-evaluation tool geared towards aiding the HR Practitioner in discovering his/her personal and professional history, strengths, accomplishments, and personality traits, and to zero in on the things that make you, you.
Here is an example of a very effective ‘bragologue” composed by Andy, a young associate in private banking. Andy is up for a promotion and a bonus. However, during the first meeting with his supervisor, he is told that it was a tough year and the bonuses will be down 40%. After talking with Peggy Klaus, Andy made another appointment to meet with his supervisor to discuss his bonus. However, this time he came prepared with the following “bragologue:”
“I know the firm is suffering, and everyone is going to take a hit, but I feel really good about my business and how my hard work over the last three years is finally paying off. This year, I was able to bring in my two largest clients after a year and a half of nurturing the deals. My revenues are up twenty percent, which is great at any time, and even more so now that most bankers’ are down thirty percent. Also, I really took your advice at my last performance review to heart and have become more active in the firm. I have organized monthly breakfasts for our business referrals so that they can learn about our new products, which has been very well received. Deborah, the division head, just sent me an email thanking me for my efforts. For all these reasons, I think I am ready for the vice president title and would like to see a bonus that reflects my accomplishments, despite the dismal state of affairs.”
Do you think it worked? Well, Andy’s bonus was only reduced by 10% while his colleagues had their bonuses reduced by 40%.
Given the current state of the economy, every HR Practitioner must be ready to prove their worth to their organization’s leadership. It’s a battle that will take a well-plan strategy in order to survive. With the help of Peggy Klaus’ book, Brag! The Art of Tooting Your Own Horn Without Blowing It, we’ll not only survive, but we will probably be the ones getting the promotions and the raises. Furthermore, it will make it easier to for us to write LinkedIn summaries and discuss our achievements during job interviews. Given all this, it would only make sense that you purchase the book.
About the Author
Peggy Klaus is the president and founder of Klaus and Associates—a communication and leadership coaching services provider. Over the years, Peggy has worked with some of America’s top Fortune 500 executives. She leads BRAG workshops around the country for organizations and companies. In addition, she has been featured and interviewed by ABC 20/20, NBC Today, Business Week, the Wall Street Journal, New York Times, Newsweek, Fortune, and O Magazine.
Peggy has also authored The Hard Truth About Soft Skills—Workplace Lessons Smart People Wish They’d Learned Sooner.
Lastly, Peggy has advance degrees in Drama, Speech, and Theatre fro the London-based Royal Academy of Music and the Drama Studio. She has lectured at Harvard; the University of California, Berkeley; and Wharton.
If you would like to obtain more information related to Peggy and the services offered by her company. Please visit her at: www.peggyklaus.com
