“By trying to appeal to everyone, you appeal to no one,” writes Lisa Bragg. “Instead of broadcasting, think of narrowcasting.” The clue to today’s conversation is in her name, an idea she grew up grappling with: to brag (or not).
“Hidden gems” are often told to work in the background or “be so great they can’t ignore you.” But the world is just too noisy for that now. Lisa is sharing how we can “shimmer with pride” gracefully, without veering into obnoxious braggadociousness (yes, I just made that word up).
More About Lisa: Living with the name Bragg, Lisa has had to master the art and science of self promotion. She’s seen when being too humble has cost international deals and when bragging right has unlocked opportunities leading to untold fortunes. Lisa helps high-achievers of all sorts to be seen, heard and share their value with the world. Her book, Bragging Rights: How to Talk about Your Work Using Purposeful Self Promotion, launched in May.
🌟 3 Key Takeaways
Self-Promotion Myths: Your work speaks for yourself; cream rises to the top; and if you wait for it, you will be chosen.
Bragging Rights Strategy: How are you? Who are you? Who do you serve? What do you know? Who do you know? Who knows you? What’s next?
Own your knowledgeable authority: You can be influential by having a point of view and articulating it, either as a: knowledge broker (curating ideas with a central theme), expert (developing your own thought-leadership), and/or visionary (seeing around corners or into the future and communicating a distinct vision).
✅ Try This Next: Journal on the following prompts—When do you wish you had been bolder? Reflect on a time you were bold. What happened? Bonus: Start your brag book—capture kudos that you didn’t get, compliments you want, “keeper” emails people have sent you (a smile file).
🔗 Resources Mentioned
Lisa on the web, IG, Twitter, LinkedIn
📚 Books Mentioned
Bragging Rights: How to Talk about Your Work Using Purposeful Self Promotion
Invisibles: The Power of Anonymous Work in an Age of Relentless Self-Promotion
Find Your Red Thread by Tamsen Webster
Free Time: Lose the Busywork, Love Your Business
Pivot: The Only Move That Matters Is Your Next One
Life After College
🎧 Related Episodes
Lisa’s podcast: Bold(h)er: Stories of and for Women Who Stand Out, for BMO for Women.
Pivot: 293: Are You Saying Yes to Spaghetti-Throwers? and 013: Upside of Being Invisible with David Zweig
Free Time: 196: 🍩 What Do Donuts, Coffee, Conversation, and Energy Cliffs Have in Common? (My Mini Daily Audio Diary from Attending TED 2023)
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