Bragging is really important and you probably don’t do it enough. Afraid to brag? Worried that you will look stupid? Don’t want to be the type of engineer who is all talk? Here are four tips to help you start bragging and get more recognition for your ideas and contributions without overdoing it.
1. It doesn’t have to be perfect. Something doesn’t have to be perfect before you can show it off to your team. The best things to show off are good ideas that aren’t finished yet. That way your team will interact and help you make them better.
2. If you aren’t excited about the idea, don’t show it. If you aren’t excited you won’t get other people excited. Find ideas that really excite you and then show them to your team.
3. Don’t overdo it. Don’t be excited about everything. Pick and choose specific ideas you like and brag about those idea. Bragging about more than one idea a week is almost always too much.
4. Talk about the idea not about you. When you show your team a great idea, tell them about the idea not about you. Talking about how cool you are or saying “I had this great idea” will make it look like you are bragging just for the sake of bragging. Lead with the idea. Phrases like, “I think this will solve our problem” and “this might make our customers happier” are good.