Today’s question:
I just received word that I have been awarded a grant for some work that I am doing and could not be more excited! What I really want to do is shout it from the rooftops… however, I’m worried about coming off as arrogant or too self-promotional. How can I let others know about the award without turning them off?
First of all, congratulations! You should be so proud of your accomplishment and the recognition that you received for the important efforts you are putting forth.
Now, to address your question head-on, it makes sense why you have some concerns about how and with whom you share your good news. A few thoughts for you to consider:
- Share the good. Ostensibly, the work you are doing will benefit a lot of people. Talk about those benefits and what outcomes you expect as a result of being awarded the grant. People often want to know, “what’s in it for me,” and, in these types of cases, there is no denying the goodness that could come from this is a win for you and many, many others.
- Recognize input from others. Frequently, when we get recognized for our efforts, we can point to the contributions of others without which we may not have been successful. Thank them. Acknowledge their role. Make sure they know how much you appreciate them.
- Communicate lessons learned. What path did you travel to get to this place? What was your process? In what ways can your experiences help others who aspire to be recognized in ways similar to the way you have been? Share with others the information you wish you had had when you first got started – maybe it will give them a leg up as they pursue their dreams.
- Don’t be so shy. It’s not arrogant to express excitement and pride when you have a big win – it’s human. While humility is to be valued, so is joy, happiness, self-esteem, self-confidence and honor. It’s quite alright to enjoy your moment in the sun!
- Engage others in what comes next. You know that once you have celebrated your success, the hard work actually begins. Is there room for others to participate? Consider ways to get others involved in your efforts. They will certainly find satisfaction in taking part and you might get some helpful ideas, labor, and/or other resources to advance your work.
Have you had a success that you wanted to share with those in your network? How did you do it? How as it received? Would you repeat or update your approach for next time? Have you seen others share their good news in a way that inspired you? Please take a moment to share your thoughts at CoffeeLunchCoffee.com.