Celebrating Small Wins at Work

"Showcasing my work feels like bragging." This limiting belief is (quite literally) killing your career. Here are 3 ways to fix it TODAY: 1. Get your Work in Progress Reviewed Don't wait for perfection. Share early drafts. Why: Visibility becomes a natural byproduct of seeking improvement, not the primary goal. Shows your growth mindset and commitment to excellence. Script: "Hey Heather, I'm working on this product proposal for our subscription service. Your expertise in product P&L would be invaluable—can you share your thoughts on strengthening the business case?" 2. Recognize Others' Contributions Make others the heroes of your success stories. Why: Demonstrates you value collaboration while naturally highlighting achievements. Creates a positive feedback loop where everyone benefits from increased visibility. Script: "I'm incredibly grateful to Leila and Jim for integrating our new on-call system. Their brilliant work cut call handling time by 50% and boosted customer satisfaction from 3.5 to 4.5." 3. Connect Your Work to Others' Goals Build bridges between what you do and what others need. Why: Positions your accomplishments as solutions rather than achievements. Shows you're thinking strategically about organizational impact. Script: "I noticed your goal to reduce service costs this year. Our automation project has already cut manual efforts by 50% in operations. Would extending this approach to your sales team be valuable?" The most successful professionals don't "brag" about their work. They CONNECT it with purpose, people, and possibilities. Your work isn't just about you—it's about how it serves others. What brilliant work of yours is currently invisible to those who need it most? Your silence isn't serving anyone. PS: Intent matters. Approach with genuine desire to learn, grow and support others.

Kindness is an underrated superpower.

It’s often mistaken for weakness or seen as something “extra” rather than essential. But when you show genuine kindness at work and in life - without expecting anything in return, you’re not just making your environment better, you’re actively transforming it and yourself. 
 Kindness fosters trust, collaboration, and positivity. People who feel valued and supported are naturally more engaged and motivated. They’re more likely to help others, share ideas, and contribute to a culture where everyone can thrive. 

And the beauty of it is, kindness doesn’t require you to be in a leadership position - it’s something you can offer no matter your role.
 Here’s how to bring kindness into your workplace in tangible ways: 1. Start with Small Acts: Hold the lift door for a colleague, offer to grab someone a coffee, or help a team member who’s struggling with a task. These small gestures create a positive ripple effect, making the workplace more collaborative and friendly.
 2. Acknowledge Others’ Efforts: Recognise when your colleagues are doing great work, especially when it might go unnoticed. A simple “well done” or “I appreciate your help” can boost morale significantly. When people feel appreciated, they’re more likely to engage with enthusiasm.
 3. Listen Attentively: In meetings or casual conversations, give people your full attention. Don’t just wait for your turn to speak. Active listening shows respect and makes others feel valued. It fosters deeper connections and opens the door to more meaningful collaboration.
 4. Be Patient with Mistakes: When someone makes a mistake, approach it with patience and understanding instead of frustration. We all have off days. Offering support rather than blame builds trust and helps your team learn and grow together.
 5. Offer Help Without Agenda: If you see a colleague overwhelmed or stuck, offer assistance without expecting a favour in return. Whether it’s staying late to help meet a deadline or simply offering advice, selfless support strengthens team bonds.
 6. Create a Safe Space for Feedback: Make it easy for colleagues to voice their opinions and ideas without fear of judgement. Encourage open dialogue and respond to feedback with kindness, even when it’s critical. This creates a culture of continuous improvement and trust.
 7. Celebrate Wins, Big or Small: Whether it’s completing a big project or overcoming a small challenge, celebrate the achievements of your team. Recognition keeps people motivated and connected to their work, reinforcing a positive and encouraging atmosphere.
 8. Be Kind to Yourself: It’s easy to be hard on yourself when things don’t go as planned. But self-compassion is key to maintaining balance. Treat yourself with the same kindness and understanding you offer others, allowing room for growth and rest when needed. ♻️Adam Grant

I used to get jealous when I saw people brag about their accomplishments on LinkedIn. I understand why they do it, they're just going about it the wrong way. Highlighting your credibility helps build your personal brand which can build your bank account. But what if there was a way to show what you've achieved, while also displaying authenticity and empathy at the same time? There is, and I inadvertently created a three-step process for it. Whenever I share one my wins, I include the following: ‣ The thing I accomplished ‣ Something that occurred behind the scenes ‣ What can you learn from this experience that will help you For example: ‣ I was recently cast in a reality TV show ‣ I was told to dress a certain way for the premiere, I declined ‣ Rather than conforming to a culture, you can choose to contribute instead. ‣ I spoke at the Speak Your Way to cash event in Atlanta ‣ I forgot my belt so I had to make one out of two lanyards ‣ Being prepared is great, but sometimes you gotta improvise ‣ I interviewed Gary Vaynerchuk for Fiverr's series The Signal ‣ I was traveling at the time and had to ask ConvertKit to borrow their studio ‣ You’ll be amazed at who’s willing to help you, especially if you’ve nurtured the relationship These are all legit accomplishments. However, if I just focus on what I’ve done it doesn't help anyone but me. So try this out next time you have a big win (or even a small one) You’ll still get the acknowledgement. But if you help others along the way, you’ll gain fans and friends instead of followers and fakes. Plus, who’s going to share a post where someone else just brags about how great they are? ______ ♻️ If this post was helpful or inspiring, please share it and follow Terry Rice for more.

69% of employees say they’d work harder if their efforts were better recognised. Yet, how many managers actually see their people? Last week, I met an old teammate and was reminded of a project that went south and how he helped get it back on track. And he said- Boss, you never recognised that effort. I felt a knot in my stomach and said… I’m sorry. I used to be the “quiet first-time manager”. The one who nodded in meetings assumed people knew I appreciated them. Now I have realised: recognition isn’t optional. It’s oxygen. Here’s what actually boosts morale, and what I wish I’d known as a first-time manager: 1) 𝐍𝐚𝐦𝐞 𝐢𝐭, 𝐝𝐨𝐧’𝐭 𝐣𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐧𝐨𝐝 𝐢𝐭. ↳ Call out the specific action, not just “great work.” 2) 𝐂𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐬𝐦𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐰𝐢𝐧𝐬 𝐥𝐨𝐮𝐝𝐥𝐲. ↳ A tiny success is the building block of confidence. 3) 𝐏𝐞𝐞𝐫-𝐭𝐨-𝐩𝐞𝐞𝐫 𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐮𝐬𝐞. ↳ Let teammates recognise each other, magic happens. 4) 𝐖𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐞 𝐢𝐭 𝐝𝐨𝐰𝐧. ↳ An email or note lasts longer than a fleeting verbal compliment. 5) 𝐌𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐢𝐭 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞𝐥𝐲. ↳ Praise delayed is praise denied. 6) 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐢𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐩𝐮𝐫𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐞. ↳ Show why the effort matters, not just that it matters. 7) 𝐀𝐬𝐤 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐦 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬. ↳ Recognition is personal; find their language. Yes, I sometimes forget all of these things, but I am more cautious now. 💡 The truth: It’s about feeling seen. So today, pause. Notice. Say it. Acknowledge. It costs nothing, but it might just change everything. Watch someone’s face light up. ---------------- Have a Joyful Weekend Thanks, Jayant

Making Your Work Visible: The Art of Advocacy Without Arrogance In today’s competitive workplace, visibility isn’t just a nice-to-have—it’s a necessity. Hard work alone doesn’t guarantee recognition. Without actively showcasing your contributions, you risk being overlooked for opportunities, promotions, or even the credit you deserve. But how do you make your work visible without coming across as boastful or self-serving? The answer lies in strategic, thoughtful self-advocacy. Highlight Outcomes, Not Yourself Focus on the impact of your work rather than just your role in it. For example, instead of saying, “I led this project,” emphasize the results: “Our project streamlined operations and reduced costs by 20%.” This shifts the focus to value creation, which resonates with stakeholders and makes your work stand out without sounding self-centred. Speak Early in Meetings Those prone to overthinking can often hold back during discussions. Challenge yourself to be one of the first to contribute. Speaking early ensures your ideas are heard before the conversation moves on and establishes your presence. It’s not about dominating the room but signalling your engagement and readiness to contribute. Leverage Asynchronous Communication For those who prefer time to reflect, asynchronous communication is a powerful tool. A well-crafted follow-up email after a meeting or a quarterly update on your achievements ensures your contributions are recognized. It’s an effective way to highlight your efforts while allowing you to articulate your thoughts thoughtfully and confidently. Express Gratitude Acknowledging others’ roles in your success can make advocacy collaborative rather than self-serving. Phrases like, “I’m grateful for the team’s support on this project, which allowed me to use my skills to achieve XYZ,” balance humility with recognition, making your contributions more impactful and fostering goodwill. Avoid Self-Deprecation Downplaying your ideas with phrases like “This might not work” or “I’m not an expert” can diminish your credibility. Instead, use assertive language, such as “One approach we could consider is…” or “Based on my understanding, this might work well.” Framing your contributions positively encourages others to take them seriously. Build a Network of Advocates Visibility isn’t solely about self-promotion. Cultivate relationships with colleagues and leaders who can vouch for your skills and contributions. When others highlight your value, it amplifies your impact while maintaining authenticity. Mutual advocacy within a team ensures recognition feels genuine and collaborative. Visibility is not about playing politics; it’s about ensuring your contributions matter to the organization and are seen by those who can help propel your career forward. Advocacy done well allows your work to shine while staying authentic to who you are and the values you uphold. #nyraleadershipconsulting

💬 Why is it so hard to talk about our own accomplishments? I was reading some research the other day and this stat really struck me: 👉 40% of women said they’d rather quit social media for a week than talk about themselves in public. 👉 Over a quarter would rather go to the dentist. If that sounds familiar—you’re not alone. Many professionals (especially women) struggle with self-promotion. We downplay our contributions. We wait to be noticed. We assume our work will speak for itself. But here’s the truth: 📣 If you don’t communicate your value, you’re likely to be overlooked. That’s not arrogance. That’s advocacy. And it’s a career skill you can learn. Here’s how to start promoting yourself authentically: ✨ Understand your value. Think about moments where your work made a real difference. → What did you bring to the table? → What patterns do you notice in how you solve problems or lead? ✨ Communicate your impact. Don’t assume your manager knows. → Connect what you do to the company’s goals. → Speak in terms of outcomes, not just activity. → Share wins regularly—with clarity, not apology. ✨ Demonstrate your strengths visibly. → Speak up in meetings. → Volunteer for projects that stretch you. → Mentor others. → Share your ideas online, or contribute to thought leadership. Self-promotion isn’t about bragging—it’s about helping others understand how to work with you, learn from you, and promote you when the time comes. 💬 Can you relate to this? What’s helped you become more confident talking about your value? 👉 If this resonated, share it with someone who needs to hear it today. You never know who needs the encouragement. 💪

5 months ago, I met a brilliant VP of a leading bank. She managed six-figures dollar portfolio, fixed broken processes, and turned around an underperforming team. Yet, when the leadership role opened up in her team, she wasn’t even considered. Not because she lacked skill. But because the decision-makers didn’t know what she had accomplished. She was working in the shadows. And shadows don’t get promoted. 𝘚𝘵𝘢𝘺𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘪𝘯𝘷𝘪𝘴𝘪𝘣𝘭𝘦 𝘬𝘦𝘦𝘱𝘴 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘴𝘵𝘶𝘤𝘬. You can be the best at what you do, but if no one knows, your growth stagnates. 𝘝𝘪𝘴𝘪𝘣𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘺 ≠ 𝘝𝘢𝘯𝘪𝘵𝘺. 𝘐𝘵’𝘴 𝘠𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘝𝘰𝘪𝘤𝘦 𝘢𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘛𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘦. 𝗛𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝟕 𝘄𝗮𝘆𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗴𝗲𝘁 𝘀𝗲𝗲𝗻 (𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗳𝗲𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗮𝗸𝗲) 1. Share Your Wins ↳ Let people know what you achieved and how you did it 2. Speak Up in Meetings ↳ Share your ideas, even if they feel small 3. Show Your Process ↳ Let others see how you solve problems, not just the end result 4. Help Others Publicly ↳ Offer advice or support where people can see your expertise 5. Document Your Progress ↳ Post updates on projects, lessons learned, and milestones 6. Ask for Feedback Openly ↳ Invite input to show you care about growth 7. Build Your Network Consistently ↳ Connect with people across teams and share what you do 𝘠𝘰𝘶�� 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘬 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘢𝘬 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘪𝘵𝘴𝘦𝘭𝘧. 𝘠𝘰𝘶 𝘯𝘦𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘢𝘬 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘪𝘵 𝘵𝘰𝘰. If you want to stop being the best-kept secret in the room, Or want to measure how strong your executive presence really is, I’ve created a quick tool to help. 𝗢𝘄𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗥𝗼𝗼𝗺: 𝗔 𝗦𝗰𝗼𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗘𝗹𝗲𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗘𝘅𝗲𝗰𝘂𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 A free, 5-minute self-assessment to help you find out where you shine and where you are holding back. Click to access: https://lnkd.in/gBstD5h6 Your growth is not just about what you do. It is about who knows you do it. #visibilitymatters #executivepresence #careeradvancement #empoweryouredge #smitadasjain #smitadjain

𝐇𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐭 𝐚 𝐣𝐨𝐛 𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐛𝐞𝐜𝐚𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐟𝐞𝐥𝐭 𝐮𝐧𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝? You feel you work hard, go the extra mile, and deliver results. Your excellent work is rewarded with more work, but there is never any acknowledgment of your efforts. You feel frustrated and disengaged. I invite you to reflect on whether you consistently acknowledge and share your achievements. Or are you from the school of thought that believes you should focus on work and that your accomplishments will speak for themselves? Research by Harvey J Coleman says that promotions at work are a function of 3 elements - 𝐏 -𝐏𝐞𝐫𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 -The work you do and the results you deliver. 𝐈 -𝐈𝐦𝐚𝐠𝐞 -What others think of you and how you project yourself. 𝐄 -𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐞 -The people who know about your achievements within and outside your organization. 𝐀𝐜𝐜𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐨 𝐂𝐨𝐥𝐞𝐦𝐚𝐧, 𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝟏𝟎% 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐭𝐨𝐭𝐚𝐥, 𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝟑𝟎%, 𝐚𝐧�� 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝟔𝟎%. Yet, 82% of people do not share their achievements because they do not want to be seen bragging. It is a hard fact that accomplishments do not speak for themselves. But quitting your job is not the solution. You need to get comfortable shining the spotlight on your work. You need to learn to confidently present your talent, abilities, and achievements to build a positive and professional image. The good news is that sharing accomplishments is a skill, and you can learn it. Here are some tips to highlight your achievements without feeling like you are bragging– 𝐑𝐞𝐟𝐫𝐚𝐦𝐞 𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐟-𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐦𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧– It is a combination of effective communication, managing up, networking, information-sharing, and relationship-building. 𝐒𝐡𝐢𝐟𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐜𝐮𝐬– If you are uncomfortable focusing the spotlight on yourself, consider who might benefit from your knowledge. View discussing your strengths as a way to help others who might be working on similar projects. Help others succeed by offering your support. 𝐒𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐠𝐞– While telling your story, acknowledge those who collaborated with you, supported and guided you, and whose good work helped you do a good job. 𝐁𝐞 𝐚𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐜– Self-promotion is not about being someone you are not, stating false or exaggerated information. Your efforts will be better received if you’re genuine.  𝐁𝐞 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞– Take on challenging assignments and high-visibility projects. Seek opportunities to interact with top management in scenarios that allow you to showcase your strengths. To summarize, quitting the job because you feel unappreciated is not the solution. Leaning to acknowledge and share your achievements is. Self-promotion may be challenging initially, but with practice, you will learn to be visible in ways that are authentic to you, good for your career, and inspirational to others. #selfpromotion

Think about the last time you felt truly recognized for your hard work. How did it make you feel? Energized? Motivated? Ready to conquer the world? Let’s roll back to the 1970s. The Pittsburgh Pirates were more than a baseball team; they were a unit. They had this mantra, “We Are Family,” and they lived it. Their hats weren’t just hats; they were symbols of hard work and excellence. Every time a player made a great play, they earned a star on their hat. These stars weren’t just decorations; they were badges of honor. Now I enter the picture, Little League, my team was the Pirates, and my dad was the coach. He brought that same energy to our team. After every game, he’d hand out stars for great plays and hustle. Imagine being a 12-year-old, getting a star from your coach, your dad. That star wasn’t just a sticker; it was proof that your effort was seen and valued. This wasn’t just about baseball. It was about life. It taught us that every effort counts, every small victory matters. It’s like today’s digital badges but way cooler. We had stars on our hats, each one a reminder of our hustle. Everyone wanted a star. Everyone wanted to be seen. Now this isn’t just some nostalgic story. It’s a lesson for today. Recognizing effort and celebrating small victories can transform your business, your team, your life. It’s about creating a culture where every effort is acknowledged and every victory is celebrated. So, think about your business, your team, your life. Where can you hand out stars? How can you create a culture that values effort and celebrates every win? It’s not just about the big wins. It’s about seeing the small steps, the daily grind, and making sure those efforts are noticed. When you start giving out stars, you build more than a team. You build a family, a community, a powerhouse of motivated individuals. Just like those Little Leaguers with stars on their hats, we all need to know our efforts matter. Be the one who hands out those stars. Watch how it lights up your team, your business, your world. Celebrate the hustle. Recognize the effort. Give out the stars. And watch your world transform.

Freshers, stop ignoring your small wins. When you’re preparing for your first job, it’s so easy to think: 👉 “Until I get the offer, nothing counts.” But that’s the biggest mistake. Because the truth is: Your first project deployed �� teaches you how to convert code into impact. Your first LinkedIn reply from a senior → opens the door to mentorship and networking. Your first rejection email → shows you that you’re in the game (and yes, rejection means you applied — which is progress). 💡 The problem? Most freshers only count success when they land a job. But careers aren’t built in one shot — they’re built step by step. ✅ How to make these small wins work for you: Track them — Keep a simple doc where you note down every project, rejection, and piece of feedback. Share them — Post your journey online. Recruiters notice consistency more than a one-time achievement. Learn from them — Rejections highlight gaps, projects showcase strengths, and mentors refine your direction. Celebrate them — Confidence compounds. If you don’t value your small progress, no one else will. I wish someone told me this when I was a fresher — because back then, I ignored all these “tiny steps” and only waited for the job letter. Now I know, those tiny steps are what actually carried me to the offer. If you’re in this phase right now, don’t underestimate your progress. Every win — no matter how small — is fuel for the journey. 👉 That’s also why I started sharing resources on my channel https://lnkd.in/gT7acAgd — so that no fresher feels stuck or clueless like I once did. From DSA prep to projects to placement strategy, I cover everything I wish I had when I was starting out. Stay patient. Stay consistent. Your first big win is just a collection of small wins you didn’t give up on. Follow Abhay Singh for more such reads.