It's the season of giving: give a Recommendation!

The Power of Self-Reflection

Often, when people ask me "how do I improve my brand?" they don't explicitly frame it that way. However, their questions usually boil down to this core idea:

• "How do I get promoted faster?"
• "What extra work should I do (what should I learn) to break out of a job I no longer enjoy?"
• "Why aren’t things going the way I hoped when I took this job?"
• "What am I really good at?"

This article won't answer all of those questions—that would make a great book (one I won't write as I know my own limits!). Instead, I'll focus on one practical way to tackle part of what’s being sought: understanding what people think of you and helping others understand the kind of person you are.

Giving is Receiving

I look at LinkedIn profiles a lot to get to know someone. Who they are, what they have done, where did they begin (education) and where have they ended up (current gig), etc. What stories am I curious to hear about? Is there something in their profile that explains their approach to a particular challenge when I worked with them? Are they doing something they have always wanted to do or did their career take a detour somewhere along the way?

Honestly, I feel like LinkedIn Recommendations is an underutilized tool for telling your story and building your personal brand. Normally, people approach wanting a recommendation by sending a simple request: "Would you write me a recommendation?" It makes sense that you would go this route though as 1) you want something and 2) you need to ask for it to get it. While this direct approach can work, it often feels transactional and may not always yield results. People are busy—juggling work, commutes, their own challenges, and sometimes they just don't see the message alongside the sponsored posts in their inbox.

So, here is my pitch: instead of waiting for others to respond to your cold requests, try flipping the script and take charge by offering recommendations on your own! Write a few thoughtful endorsements for colleagues to not only strengthen your professional relationships and brag about them to the world, but also to (maybe) inspire them to return the favor. Think of it as planting seeds of goodwill in your network. Hopefully some of those seeds will germinate!

The Benefits of Giving Recommendations

When you take the time to write a well-crafted recommendation, several things happen:

1. You Relive Positive Experiences: Reflecting on shared accomplishments and great working relationships can remind you of your own strengths and contributions.
2. You Acknowledge Teamwork: Recognizing others reinforces the importance of collaboration in your career journey.
3. You Strengthen Relationships: A recommendation signals that you value and respect someone’s role in your professional life.
4. You Open the Door for Reciprocity: While not guaranteed, your act of generosity often encourages others to return the favor.

How to Write a Great Recommendation

Crafting a strong LinkedIn recommendation doesn’t take much time, but it does require thought. Follow these tips to make it impactful:

• Be Specific: Highlight particular skills, achievements, or moments that showcase the person’s value.
• Keep It Personal: Mention how you worked together and what stood out about their contributions. Perhaps add in some of who you are in the recommendation. "As a Developer, I appreciated their approach to User Experience as an art form."
• Be Genuine: Authenticity matters. Write what you truly appreciate about the person. What makes them special and worthy of a recommendation that YOU took time to write.

Your LinkedIn Challenge

If you’ve read this far, thank you! It’s been a while since I posted, and I appreciate your time. Now, here’s a challenge: write two or three LinkedIn recommendations before the end of the year. Focus on colleagues who have positively impacted your career or who could use a boost right now. For extra points, reach out to people who might not expect it but would be thrilled to receive your kind words.

Not only will you brighten someone’s day, but you’ll also strengthen your own network and brand in the process. Remember, this is the season of giving and small acts of generosity can have a big impact.

Happy Holidays!