Have you ever had promotion envy?

John got the promotion and the raise. You didn’t.

You work just as hard, if not harder. You have similar qualifications and training. You both worked on some of the same projects.

What the?

You may be a best-kept secret — to those who need to know more about you.

Discover these strategies to cultivate and demonstrate your personal power in the workplace:

1. Brand-Building Treasure Hunt:

You need to understand how you’re perceived in the workplace so that you can capitalize on the positive, identify the gaps, and improve your visibility.

• Ask 5 people you trust to tell you what they think your three greatest professional strengths are, and then ask them what three to five words come to mind when they think of you.
• Choose One Word that best represents you and create a story that demonstrates one of your greatest strengths using this word. This can become a powerful networking tool for you.

2. Develop a “Me File”

• If you’re employed, track your achievements, kudos from your superiors, projects you’ve worked on, ideas you’ve brought to fruition, programs you’re proud of, employees you’ve developed into leadership roles, and more. This will aid you’re next performance evaluation, next promotion, or next career.
• If you’re not currently employed and want to return to the workforce, track your volunteer achievements, leadership roles, fundraising events, and related activities. These can turn into valuable, marketable skills for your job search.

3. Get Paid What You’re Worth

• Do your homework on your company.
• Find out about your company’s competition.
• Keep track of your achievements, projects, and other “outside the scope” of your job activity.
• When documenting, be specific. List quantifiable results.
• When the performance review is set, let your boss talk first.
• Present your case diplomatically.
• Don’t take maybe for an answer.
• When given a time/date for the raise or “consideration” to kick in, follow up.

4. Acknowledge co-workers, customers, and others positively for their contributions.

• Go deeper with your compliment, instead of “Great job!” Try, “Your enthusiasm and proactive solutions will be an excellent contribution to our project.”

5. Have solutions prepared BEFORE you talk to your boss about a problem.

6. In staff meetings, actively participate, take notes, listen closely, provide ideas or solutions, and ask questions. Be visible.

7. Build your personal brand and your internal networks.

• Who needs to know about you? Communicate your value in a positive, authentic way.

8. Smile when you speak on the telephone so the caller can hear the enthusiasm in your voice.

9. Dress professionally and carry yourself with confidence. Even when working remotely!

10. Develop your own personal sound bite (a 30-second commercial about yourself and/or your business) to use when meeting new people or at networking events, conferences, or other social gatherings where people ask, “So, what do you do?”

11. Always communicate positively, powerfully, clearly, and concisely.

---

© 2002—2025 Wendy Terwelp | All rights reserved.