We have all been exposed to the brash, unethical type who simply is not in tune with the delicate balance between over-promoting and under-promoting himself, right? One of the unfortunate ripple effects created by over-the-top self-promoters is that their behavior causes good, solid contributors to shrink back when it’s time for them to step up and take credit for what they did well.

Here are three examples of savvy self-promoters who are excelling when it comes to taking credit for a job well done.

●         Shelly is a senior recruiter for a $15 billion company. She was assigned a project in a particular department that was notorious for being very dissatisfied with prior recruiting efforts. Shelly listened, worked strategically, and achieved outstanding success in filling positions. The C-level executive of that deparment was scheduled to attend meetings at her facility. She mentioned in an email that it would be nice to meet him in person. He obliged, and at their meeting he presented her with a handwritten note of his appreciation, along with a gift basket.

As a savvy self-promoter, Shelly took a picture of the note and the gift basket and emailed it to her boss, who was so relieved and pleased that she sent it all the way up the corporate ladder.

How do you feel about what Shelly did? Would you feel comfortable doing something similar?

●         David, a senior HR director, subscribes to HARO – Help a Reporter Out. When reporters are looking for sources about anything related to HR about which he feels passionate and/or knowledgeable, he responds to their queries. Guess what? He’s been quoted 21 times in national publications. Business leaders from partner organizations have mentioned these articles to the leadership of his company.

How confident are you in your opinions and knowledge? Are you willing to help a reporter document a story with credibility, and in the meantime promote yourself and your company?

●         Chris has her MBA and was hired as a salesperson at a company that is ranked in the top 100 of the Forbes Global 2000 list. She was assigned to sell a product that had not been developed yet. Talk about a tough assignment, right? She was placing calls to CEOs at rural hospitals throughout the United States. Chris was making inroads, but she was just not happy or gratified in the new position. Being a savvy self-promoter, she began networking with people in the marketing department of her company. She made high-level networking contacts, built relationships, and when a position opened up, she applied with her boss’s blessing and is now happily contributing in a job she loves.

What kind of networking relationships are you building with coworkers within other departments?

Remember, in our culture, it is not the hardest-working, best-prepared or smartest people who get the rewards. It is the person who is most willing to self-promote (in a strategic way). Also, if you do not take credit for a job well done, guess what happens? Yes, you’re right. Someone else steps up and takes the credit.

Please check out my prior post: Myth vs. Fact: Are you a Savvy Self-Promoter?

About the Author

Connie Kadansky is the President of Exceptional Sales Performance, an international sales training and coaching practice. She is a recognized expert in identifying and eliminating Sales Call Reluctance. Connie has a proven track record in diverse industries. Because of her expertise, in coaching salespeople to become consistent and comfortable with their prospecting activity, she earned a solo article in the Wall Street Journal. Thanks to a cold call, she was paid to do a radio commercial for American Express. Recently, she was interviewed by Inc. Magazine. Connie helps salespeople get their “ask” in gear. Follow her on Twitter: @ckadansky