5 Times Its OK to Have an Ego at Work - The Muse

5 Times Its OK to Have an Ego at Work - The Muse5 Times Its OK to Have an Ego at WorkWhen you were growing up, were you taught that bragging is bad or that it isnt polite to talk about yourself? Instead, you may have learned that if you worked hard enough, kept your head down, and focused on your goals, people would see your sterling results and you would be duly rewarded. Well, in the professional world, things play out a little differently. Sometimes, the only way you can give a voice to your hard work and results is to speak up. Why? Your manager and colleagues may know youre a hard worker and assume you get things done. But theyre also busy with their own responsibilities, so theyre probably not keeping close track of yours. Your ich- well managed, of course- can help you fill them in. In fact, in my opinion, being able to speak to your accomplishments and competencies is just as important as your ability to do the work. Your selbst can be a great asset in your career, if you kno w how and when to use it- like in these five situations.1. When Youre Interviewing for a JobI once coached a client to say in an interview, Im really good at working with customers and I will do a great job in this role. He flinched at the suggestion, responding with, I cant really say that, can I? Yes, you can. And you should. Research shows that narcissism goes a long way in job interviews. Individuals who engage with the interviewer with a little self-promotion receive more positive ratings than those who take a modest, self-deprecating approach. Remember, managers want to hire confident employees who know they can get the job done. So before an interview, read the job description thoroughly and think about how you will perform well in each aspect of the job. Then, boldly share that information. 2. When Youre Negotiating a Job OfferIm an advocate for negotiating all job offers, but I also know that negotiating can be intimidating- because you may feel like youre asking for someth ing you dont deserve. This is where you should call on your ego to help. It will remind you that negotiations are not a zero-sum game. Yes, you are asking for a better compensation package, title, or assignment with your prospective employer- but you are also going to provide value in return for the benefits you receive.Let your ego help you talk about not only what you want as far as compensation, but also how youre going to benefit the employer by citing the accomplishments and wins youve already achieved.3. When Youre Prepping for a wertmiger zuwachs ReviewWhen I work with clients, Im always surprised at how much they think their boss knows about what they do. The reality is, your boss is busy He or she has a lot going on. And that means all the nooks and crannies of that successful project you worked on may not be as obvious to him or her as they are to you. So, call on your ego to help. When its review time, dont expect your boss to do the math. Review the results and accomplis hments you achieved, even if you think he or she is already aware of them. (Hint use this handy worksheet to get started.)Even if an accomplishment was a group effort, dont be bashful about taking credit for what you achieved within your role or contributed to the victory. Talk about what you did and how it helped make your team, boss, and organization more successful. 4. When Youre Asking for a RaiseStudies show that men tend to attribute their success to competence, while women usually credit success to good luck.If you attribute your success to luck, its going to be very difficult to ask for that raise- because you simply got lucky. Or anyone could have done it. This is a great opportunity to let your ego boost you up. Let it remind you that your accomplishments are not a matter of luck theyre the result of your critical thinking and hard work. Then, identify a measurable, quantifiable result that you helped the organization achieve. Thats a cold, hard fact you can use to negotia te your raise- and thats not about luck at all. 5. When Youre Jockeying for a PromotionYouve been toiling away at work, because you have your eye on that executive track prize. You know if you just wait patiently, when that next opening comes up, your manager will put your name forward as a candidate.But wait Your ego can help you out in this situation, too. Instead of waiting for a promotion opportunity to come up, let your ego help you make your intentions known ahead of time. Talk with your manager, mentor, or HR representative and tell him or her, My goal is to get on the executive track. Ask what it will take to get you ready for the next promotion that opens up. Then, start working on those skills. Youll be able to start preparing for the new role while building your visibility and credibility. And when the time comes, youll be ready. Sure, no one likes an egomaniac. But you dont have to be one to let your ego help you out in your career. Use it to help you identify and promot e the good work, solid results, and major accomplishments youve achieved- and watch your career benefit. Photo of man taking selfie courtesy of Shutterstock.