How To Master The Art Of Self-Promotion At Work
- Maya Grossman
- Dec 11, 2025
- 4 min read
If you are aiming for a Director or VP promotion, self promotion at work is not optional. It is the bridge between doing great work and being seen as the obvious choice for the next level.
In this guide, you will learn how to make self promotion feel natural, strategic, and completely aligned with your values, so you can get promoted without turning into someone you do not recognize.
If the thought of self-promotion makes you cringe, you’re not alone. Many ambitious leaders resist it because they fear being seen as pushy. Instead, they stick to the familiar: working harder and hoping someone notices.
But here’s the reality:
Invisible people don’t get promoted
At the VP level, leaders are not just evaluating your results, they are evaluating whether you can communicate your impact. That is exactly what self promotion at work is for.
Most of us have been conditioned to think our work should speak for itself. You’ve been told: “Stay humble, and good things will come.”
But how many times have you delivered stellar results, only to watch someone else get the opportunity you deserved?
Here’s why:
The Wrong Assumptions
You assume people know how much value you bring. But the truth is, most stakeholders don’t see what happens behind the scenes. In fact my rule of thumb is to assume: “If I didn’t share it, they don’t know”. If you’re not consistently making your contributions visible, they’ll never connect your results to your leadership potential.
Fear of Being Labeled
You’re afraid of being seen as arrogant or self-serving. But effective self-promotion isn’t about bragging—it’s about storytelling. It’s about connecting your work to the company’s bigger goals and showing how you’re the solution.
No Systematic Approach
Self-promotion feels awkward because most people do it sporadically and reactively, rather than building it into their routine. The best executives turn self-promotion into a skill—a consistent, comfortable part of their daily leadership.
The Truth About Self Promotion At Work
You don’t have to act like a creepy car salesman to sell yourself.
In fact, the most successful executives make self-promotion feel natural and impactful. The key? Do it strategically and intentionally.
1. Show Value, Not Just Actions
Too often, I see professionals list achievements like a résumé—“I did this, I completed that.” But stakeholders don’t just care about what you did; they care about the value behind it.
If you don’t connect the dots, decision-makers won’t either.
Why this works: By framing your contributions in terms of business impact, you’re not just sharing what you did—you’re showing why it mattered.
Action step: Before your next presentation or interaction ask yourself - "so what?" Why does it matter to them? And share your ideas taking into account their perspective.
When decision makers consistently hear you talk about impact, they start to see you as someone who already thinks and acts like a VP.
2. Create “Mini Promotion” Moments
Self-promotion isn’t a one-time event; it’s an ongoing process. Waiting for formal reviews or big presentations means missing countless opportunities to reinforce your leadership.
Every interaction—meetings, emails, casual conversations—is a chance for you to highlight progress, share insights, and position yourself as a strategic leader.
If you can consistently articulate your impact, you’ll stay top of mind for promotions and high-level opportunities.
Why this works: It removes the pressure of “big moments” and normalizes self-promotion as part of your leadership style. Think of “mini promotions” every day.
Action step: Start your one-on-ones with a win to make sure your manager sees your success. Plus, use meeting introductions as an opportunity to share a strategic success story.
These mini promotion moments create a steady drumbeat of visibility that quietly builds your case for the next promotion cycle.
3. Sell Your Future, Not Just Your Past
Great self-promotion is more than listing your past accomplishments. You become the obvious choice when you can sell your future potential.
When you position yourself as someone who can shape strategy, solve bigger problems, and create long-term impact, you move from being seen as a strong performer to a future leader.
Executives want to know what kind of VP you will be, not just what kind of Manager or Director you have been.
Why this works: It shows your potential to create even more impact at the next level. Employers want to know you can handle bigger challenges.
Action step: Understand the company’s long term goals and align your future contribution with their long term vision.
Still not convinced self-promotion is a must? Here is a real truth bomb for you:
You my friend are selling yourself every day with your behavior, your actions and your words.
The real question is: Are you doing it well?
Action Steps To Practice Self Promotion At Work
Take 10 minutes to reflect:
How often do you advocate for yourself, and with whom? (Can you list at least 3 times where you shared your success in the past month?)
What is really holding you back from self-promotion? Be honest—what comes to mind when you think about it?
Want help turning self promotion into a VP-level habit?
Inside my executive coaching program, we build a simple self promotion system you can use in every 1:1, update, and leadership meeting, so your work is always visible to the people deciding promotions.
I believe in you, and I’m rooting for you
Maya ❤️
PS: Self-promotion is the bridge between where you are today and where you want to go. Let’s make it your superpower.
