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How to Tell People You're Good without Sounding like an Ass
3 experts weigh in
Have you ever waited around for someone to notice what a good job you’ve done? How long did you wait for a response? Maybe you’re still waiting.
People rarely compliment you when you’re doing good work, whether for a job or a freelance business. Sometimes the only way you know that you’ve done an excellent job is the absence of complaints. I don’t find that very motivating.
Everyone wants a pat on the head occasionally. A few months ago, a client sent me an email thanking me for having coached her to improve her writing. Not only that, she sent me the email her manager had sent her that also complimented my work for them. That’s gratifying.
This type of feedback is rare and precious when it happens. Most of the time, the only way you can help people realize how good you are is by telling them. So, how can you do this without sounding like an ass or a politician running for office? Here are 3 expert pieces of advice.
Do it the right way
In an article for the American Management Association, Peggy Klaus, Fortune 500 communication coach and author of Brag! The Art of Tooting Your Own Horn Without Blowing It, explains, “If we all acted like big blowhards, our clients and…