Mindy’s Monday Motivation – Blog Post #13 – Taking credit where credit is due

It’s another late posting this week. Apology! You would think I would be caught up last Friday from my week of travel. I think I will start writing on Sunday, so I can post them earlier in the day on Monday from now on.

?This topic came up recently in conversation with my fellow Homebased WIN leadership team. We were discussing the mentorship programs in our IQVIA company. Our affable leader, Kelly Wilkins-Arrington, suggested that it would be great if the mentorship program can record the effort of the mentors/mentees in their employee records. A question was raised within the team as to why that was important or even necessary. Mentorship programs require both individuals involved to devote their time and effort. Therefore, it’s necessary and important to give both individuals the recognition they deserve. This brought up the topic that I would like to discuss today: taking credit where credit is due.

?On one side of the spectrum, we have folks who are always bragging about their accomplishments. On the other side, we have others who don’t talk much about the things that they do. In some instances, they don’t want to ‘brag’ or be labeled as such. This is especially true of women. We tend to stay silent about the assistance we provide as we feel that it was no big deal, that anyone else would have done it and of course, because we are just nice. However, this is where I believe women err in our thinking. It’s not bragging, it’s taking credit where credit is due. How will anyone know of your accomplishment? How much effort you put into something to make it successful, whether it is a personal project or a presentation for work? Also, if you don’t let it be known, how will others follow your example? In fact, I believe it’s altruistic to let other people know of your accomplishments as it helps you to spread your message beyond the few individuals in your circle. It helps other recognize you for your capability and strength and helps open the door, not just for you but for other women in similar situation. Why do people generalize about women and what we can and can do? That’s because they haven’t seen or heard of the things that women have accomplished. We may hear more and more about women in leadership roles and many other trailblazers, but the path they have carved for us, will constantly close up if women in general don’t take credit for their accomplishments.

Of course, it’s not just women. Men do this, too. So, I say to you all, it’s okay to ‘brag’. Now, there is a right place to do so, of course. I don’t tout my own horn every day of the week – maybe just every other day. Ha ha.. just kidding! That would be bragging in its true sense. However, I do pay attention to my annual review. I would jot down the things that I have accomplished over the year, noting things that I was proud of – including my role in the Homebased WIN group. I like to think that I am a humble person by nature. However, when it is time to discuss about my accomplishments, I am more than willing to list it all. Why? Because who would know it if you don’t mention it. As silly as it sounds, this ties to everything we do in life as well. My husband once told me that men were simple creatures, if women didn’t tell men what was on their minds, they wouldn’t be able to guess. I say this applies to everyone. How will anyone know of what you have done if you never talk about it? I have been watching Korean dramas lately and boy, do we get a lot of the silent sufferers there. Well, I don’t want my life to be a Korean drama and neither should you, so don’t remain quiet, voice your accomplishments. Whether it be on LinkedIn or during your annual review with your manager. Just let people know. If you volunteer at a homeless shelter, let other people know. Perhaps they will join your cause. If you perform well at work, let your loved ones know so they can share in your joy. Your children can also be proud of their accomplished parents and strive for excellence as well since they see how good work gets rewarded.

?I also have held on to every award that I have received in all my employments – including an award from my former colleagues for being the most helpful coworker. It didn’t come with any monetary prize, but just a heartfelt thanks from him and a print-out of the award certificate. I have these in a portfolio. Why? For one thing, it makes me feel good to be reminded of what he said to me when he gave me the award. For another, it comes in handy whenever I am interviewing for new employment. Again, another very appropriate time to ‘brag’ about your past accomplishments. Whenever I join a new organization, I am always asked to write a self-biography. Now, the goal is others to get to know me. This is also a very good time to let people know things that they don’t already know from looking up your LinkedIn profile. Ha ha.

?Well, I will stop here as I think you get what I am trying to get across. Thanks, as always, for reading and please do let know if there is any topics interest you. I’ll do my best to research it before posting. I also welcome any comments and feedback. Just as to end this on a light note, allow me to brag about something that I am proud to have accomplished. I haven’t thought about it in a while, but this came up in a recent conversation with one of my colleagues. We were talking about surprising things that you wouldn’t know from just looking at someone. We met for the first time since I started my current role. If you have seen me in person, I think you would be surprised as well – I hiked up to the Base Camp of Mount Everest in 2018 to raise funds for the Leukemia Lymphoma Society. Yep, all 17,598 feet of elevation over the course of 8 days. Here’s a picture to prove it. =D

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