Debby Stone, JD, CPCC, PCC

A former practicing attorney, and a certified, credentialed coach, Debby works with lawyers throughout the country who want to maximize their current positions, those who have been laid off, and those who want to consider “what’s next”. She holds a JD with high honors and an A.B. magna cum laude from Duke University. A coach since 2002, Debby practiced law for 16 years, first at a large Atlanta law firm and later in her own practice. She frequently speaks at law firms and through local bar groups on topics including career management, networking, business development, and life integration. For more information, please visit www.cornerofficecoaching.com or contact her at
debby@cornerofficecoaching.com.

Shameless Self-Promotion: A Key Career-Building Tool
By Debby Stone, JD, CPCC, PCC

The majority of lawyers are introverts, and many struggle with self-promotion.

No one wants to be the obnoxious braggart who everyone in the office talks about. But there is a fine line between shameless and shameful self-promotion, and there is an art to walking on the “shameless” side. There is also immense value in being able to effectively promote yourself. This skill is important for job interviews, performance reviews, and client development.

So, how can you promote yourself effectively without being over the top?

First, you must tell your story in a way that is authentic and engages your audience. Think of it as the difference between telling and selling. Selling sounds like you are forcing something to happen, whereas telling is about conveying important information through your story.

Effective self promoters are sincere and are truly storytellers.

When promoting yourself, you should also think of yourself as an entrepreneur. Your product is you! Would you buy a car without knowing its features? Why would someone hire a lawyer without knowing that he or she has the necessary experience? It is certainly more interesting to learn about a car’s features by looking at a well-produced colorful brochure than by reading a long sheet of statistics in small black and white print. Similarly, it is more interesting to learn about a person’s experience when he or she presents it in their own succinct, full-color, easy-to-watch, and well-thought-out and honest “commercial.”

In order to become better at promoting yourself, I suggest you create such a commercial for yourself. Think about what’s important to share. What have you accomplished? What are you proud of and why?

Now you are ready to begin to craft a story that is uniquely yours and tells what you have accomplished in a truthful, positive, authentic way. I suggest also that you script your story in several different ways so you can tell it differently to different audiences.

You will also want to find opportunities to practice your self-promotion story. Begin by doing so with an individual or in a group where you are at ease, and then branch out. The more practiced you become telling your story, the more comfortable you will be sharing it with others outside your immediate circle. Have patience. It may feel a little uncomfortable at first, but with practice you will become a powerful and shameless self-promoter.