3 Ways to Toot Your Own Horn (Without Being Obnoxious)

3 Ways to Toot Yur Own Horn (Without Being Obnoxious)3 Ways to Toot Your Own Horn (Without Being Obnoxious)Ask just about anyone what personality trait grates his or zu sich nerves the most, and a braggart is bound to top the list. So, it makes sense that most of us are loathe to toot our own horns, for fear of coming across as obnoxious. Especially in the office.This obviously makes standing out in the workplace a bit of a challenge. But, given that promotions arent exactly being doleuchtdiode out by the truckload these days, we all need to find ways to highlight our own talents.With that in mind, here are a few things to keep in mind thatll help you impress your boss with your stellar skills without coming across like an egomaniac.No Splashing in the Shallow EndWhen youre first starting a new job, or even a new role, its important not to make a big entrance right off the bat. For example, if you want to show off your Excel wizardry, simply declaring youre the best in the land isnt going to impress anyone.Instead, start small and subtle. Craft your best spreadsheet possible for whatever project youre working on, and ask your boss to take a look with you to make sure youre on the right track. As your boss is reviewing your work, it will quickly become apparent youve got some talent in the spreadsheet department.This is easily my favorite form of self-promotion, as it doesnt require you to actually brag at all, and it allows your manager (or whomever youre trying to impress) the opportunity to share her expertise with you as well. And who knows, you just might learn something new, too.Pay it ForwardPut yourself in the position of your manager, and imagine how difficult it might be to acknowledge every little achievement each individual on her team makes on a daily basis- its no easy task This doesnt mean your manager cant or wont recognize your talents, it just means you may have to help open her eyes to the great job youre doing.Ive learned that sometimes, you have to give a little to get something in return. So, try acknowledging something youve learned from your boss. When your manager realizes shes actually providing guidance to her team, chances are shell be much more observant of your skills, and in my experience, a lot more generous with the atta-girls.As a manager myself, Ive always been impressed when employees come to me and mention how I had helped them look at a problem in a different way, which ultimately led them to finding a solution. And Ive then made an extra effort to make sure they know Ive noticed when theyve exceeded my expectations.Of course, if youre thinking of paying it forward, dont forget it must be genuine- anything too random will come across as insincere, and could easily brand you as a brownnoser. Be patient, and wait for a situation where your manager has truly coached you well. Then let her know it.Confidence is KeySomewhere along the line, many of us were taught it was impolite- even obnoxious- to talk abo ut our talents, and instead were instilled with the idea that humility trumps confidence. While this may be true to some extent, its important to note that a healthy dose of confidence is an important foundation to success in both your personal and professional lives.The key, of course, is not just having the confidence, but knowing how to use it wisely. This isnt the easiest skill to master, however, Ive found one simple maxim that really helps keep my confidence from boiling over into ego Show, dont tell. Youve probably heard this saying since you were a kid, and its a great reminder whenever youre tempted to tell someone how great you are (because obviously, youre pretty great). Instead of telling someone, find ways to show them instead- do your best work, kill it at that presentation, and graciously accept compliments for a job well done.Finding the right balance is definitely more art than science, but with a little practice, and a lot of patience, youll find having a healthy a mount of confidence in your own abilities will soon bestattungs the attention of those around you as well. No obnoxious boasting requiredPhoto of woman and boss courtesy of Shutterstock.