How to Use Self Promotion for Career Growth

Most people in tech believe career growth is all about getting better at your craft. And don’t get me wrong- skills do matter. But here’s the uncomfortable truth: It’s not just about how good you are. It’s about who knows how good you are. Some of the most talented engineers I’ve worked with stayed stuck in the same role for years, not because they weren’t skilled, but because no one outside their immediate circle knew the impact they were making. Meanwhile, others who actively shared their work, spoke at events, collaborated publicly, or mentored others; they became the names that came up in rooms they weren’t even in yet. That’s what visibility does. For me, building visibility has looked like: 🤝 Sharing what I’m learning- not just what I already know. Posting takeaways from AI research papers, experiments with new tools, and real-world lessons from building systems. 📱Posting behind-the-scenes of projects, including the messy drafts. Sharing wins is easy. Sharing your process builds trust. 🎤 Speaking at meetups, podcasts, and panels Every small talk leads to bigger rooms. It’s all about building reps, and getting more people hear your thoughts. 📚Turning complex technical ideas into simple frameworks. Think: diagrams, cheat sheets, carousels. If people can learn from you easily, they’ll remember you. 🌎 Collaborating publicly and giving credit. Tag teammates, mention mentors, share lessons learned together. Visibility is not a solo game. 👩🏫 Mentoring early-career professionals. Teaching makes your knowledge visible, and it pays forward the support you once needed. 📝 Documenting your journey authentically. Not just “look at this big launch,” but “here’s what I learned this week,” or “here’s where I’m stuck and what I’m trying next.” 👥 Being active in the community- both online and offline. Whether it’s commenting on posts, joining Slack groups, or attending AI meetups, showing up consistently makes a difference. It’s not about becoming a “thought leader.” It’s about becoming someone people remember when opportunities come up. Because at the end of the day: Skill × Visibility = Career Growth If you’re already learning, building, and solving problems, start showing it ❤️ That’s how you grow beyond your current role.

You need to be a shameless self-promoter because everyone else in the business is. It feels wrong, but the difference between you and them is…you actually have a track record of success to promote. Engineering teams and leaders are taught to be humble and keep their heads down. But if you follow the conventional wisdom, you’ll spend your career watching people who don’t deserve it get ahead. They will keep getting promoted. Their teams will grow. All while you get passed up and your teams get downsized. Self-promotion is beneficial for more than just you, and you must reframe your perspective on it. What happens to the business when those little dogs who jump on the success stick get ahead and the people who contribute the most to the business’s success fall behind? Boeing. Intel. Nissan. It’s not self-promotion when you’re telling the truth and providing an accurate picture to C-level leaders. It’s not selfish when you’re promoting your teams who did most of the heavy lifting. Talk about yourself and your teams in terms of what they did and how it led to business outcomes that wouldn’t have been possible if not for your team. Yes, every project is a business-wide effort involving multiple teams. Talking up your part doesn’t take away from the legitimate work done by other teams. It takes air out of the room so little dogs don’t have space to yap. Set the standard for self-promotion high by pointing out direct business impacts and quantifying the fruits of your work. Expose vague self-promoters by using substantive metrics and KPIs. Embrace self-promotion, but do it in a way that makes you feel good about it. You and your teams put in the work. It’s OK to enjoy the spotlight and take a victory lap. You have earned it.

📣 Self-Promotion Doesn’t Have to Feel Icky. Here’s How to Do It Authentically 💬 Let’s be honest, self-promotion can feel uncomfortable, especially if you're someone who believes “my work should speak for itself.” But in today’s competitive landscape, sharing your strengths and impact is essential for career growth, visibility, and influence. As a leadership coach, advisor, and L&D professional, I’ve seen firsthand that authentic self-promotion isn't about bragging, it’s about owning your value and making your contributions visible in service of others. In my latest Harvard Business Review article, I share four practical ways to make self-promotion feel more natural and aligned with your values: 1️⃣ Focus on Impact, Not Ego Shift from “Look what I did” to “Here’s how my work made a difference.” Focus on value, outcomes, and purpose. 2️⃣ Leverage Storytelling Stories are powerful. They turn accomplishments into meaningful narratives that people connect with and remember. 3️⃣ Celebrate Others Along the Way Recognition builds trust. Highlighting your team and collaborators reflects humility and great leadership. 4️⃣ Make It a Habit Self-promotion isn't a one-time pitch. It’s a practice. Whether it’s sharing a small win, updating your LinkedIn, or having intentional conversations, consistency matters. ✨ When done with intention, self-promotion becomes a generous act. It inspires others, builds credibility, and invites collaboration. It also empowers you to uplift others! 💬 How do you promote your work in a way that feels authentic? I’d love to hear your approach in the comments ⬇️ 🔗 Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/eQUyNVdv #Leadership #SelfPromotion #PersonalBrand #CareerGrowth #Coaching #FutureOfWork #Authenticity #LifelongLearning #Advisor #Professor #Thinkers50 #JennyFernandez #MG100 #BestAdvice