The spread of COVID-19 is a rapidly evolving situation that requires many of us to transform how we do business into a NEW normal of self-isolation and social distancing.
With many people finding themselves having to work from home, being laid off, or marketing your company more virtually, we need to master Tooting Our Own Horn.
Why do we find it hard to Toot?
Peggy Klaus, author of “Brag! The Art of Tooting Your Own Horn Without Blowing It” says it has to do with cultural, societal, religious, and familial “myths” that we’ve grown up hearing. For many blacks, bragging is a social death sentence. Research has shown that bragging masked by a complaint or humility makes people like you less or assume you are exaggerating. So avoid humble-bragging or humble-tooting at all costs.
Memorable Story
Just because you did something fabulous today, it may not be appropriate to tell everyone you talk with immediately. Tooting requires you to be suitable for the situation. This means you need to keep track of your accomplishments and categorize them so you can quickly and with the right level of detail bring them to light. Create a spreadsheet that includes details relevant logistics (names, clients, titles, companies, resources, tools, situation, tasks, actions, results). You want to create an easily memorable conversation or story around your accomplishments in 60 seconds or less. The goal is to relay the information in such a way that they can remember it to tell others. If you say too much, it moves from tooting into bragging. Keep it quick and interesting.
Bragging is Obnoxious, but Tooting is Necessary
Women are still uncomfortable speaking confidently about their accomplishments and will get upset with how easily men take credit for things they did or didn’t do. Even when you do something as a team, you can still give yourself credit as an individual contributor. Take notes on how you see other people around you toot or brag. Watch and learn from their technique and style. Then transform what you learn to fit your style.
Find a Wingman or woman within Your Tribe!
The best way to TOOT is to find someone to brag on your behalf. Your memorable story will help you to find people who also find it personally advantageous to brag for you. People like letting other people know who they know and the accomplishments of their circle of influence. It brings them more credibility. So make it easy for your tribe! Share your story and watch how their introduction of you changes to include some toot, toots!!
COVID-19 Update
For up-to-date information, we encourage you to review the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) website: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html.
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