Written by: Dr. Loren M. Hill, Ph.D.
Clinical Psychologist & Executive Coach
AABLI Aluma, Class #6
You’ve been grinding away at your work or volunteer efforts, meeting all of your deadlines, doing that little extra. And today—finally!—someone even told you they truly appreciate your hard work.
The compliment feels good. But don’t let it rest there: leverage that praise.
When the time comes for you to seek a promotion or a committee assignment, you want to ensure that your colleague’s recognition of your work is front of mind once your chair or committee reviews your portfolio. The best way to make that happen is to ask—politely—that such compliments be put in writing.
You may receive compliments during one-on-one meetings or, at times, in group settings. You may even be singled out for praise on big projects. Once you’re out of sight, unfortunately, all the recognition and appreciation can quickly slip from mind. So ask for an email or note; that way, you can remind yourself and others how great you really are.
After all, who can better sing your praises than the people who’ve complimented you? An added advantage: if they have to write those praises down, they’ll be more likely to remember you without prompting.
Keeping the compliments in one place allows you to catalog your work appreciation. This means you now will have a list of references, better insight into your own strengths and direct proof of your capability. This is a powerful tool, both for the promotion you’re after and for your long-term career.
Think of it. A convenient stash of well-written, meaningful, and specific praise. What’s not to love about that?
This blog is not written by aabli.org or The African American Board Leadership Institute. The author is solely responsible for the content.
