I need to tell you about something that drives me absolutely crazy as a career coach.
You land the promotion. You get the dream job offer. You finally launch that side project you've been talking about for months. You negotiate a 20% salary increase.
And then... nothing.
You don't tell anyone.
Maybe you mention it quietly to your partner over dinner. Perhaps you share a brief, modest update with your closest work friend. But that's it.
Here's what I want you to understand: Your career wins aren't just personal victories, they're strategic career assets. And when you don't share them, you're literally leaving opportunities on the table.
Why We Stay Silent (And Why It's Hurting Us)
I get it. There are a thousand reasons we keep our wins quiet:
We don't want to seem like we're bragging
We're afraid of making others feel bad about their situations
We worry people will think we're being "too much"
We downplay our achievements because they don't feel "big enough"
We're scared that sharing success will somehow jinx future opportunities
But here's the thing, while you're being humble and considerate, your career is suffering.
Every time you stay silent about a professional win, you miss the chance to:
Reinforce your reputation as someone who gets results
Inspire your network to think of you for future opportunities
Demonstrate growth and momentum in your career
Build social proof that attracts better offers
Create positive associations between your name and success
The Strategic Power of Strategic Sharing
Professional success isn't just about what you accomplish… it's about who knows what you've accomplished.
When you share career good news strategically, several things happen:
Your network updates their mental file on you. That former colleague who always thought of you as "the marketing person" suddenly realizes you've moved into leadership. The recruiter who has you tagged for junior roles sees that you're now managing teams.
You become top-of-mind for referrals. When someone in your network hears about an opportunity that matches your new level or skill set, they're more likely to think of you because your recent success is fresh in their memory.
You attract higher-quality opportunities. Success breeds success. People want to work with winners, and when you demonstrate that you're someone who achieves results, better opportunities start coming your way.
You inspire confidence in decision-makers. Whether it's your current boss considering you for a stretch assignment or a potential employer evaluating your candidacy, evidence of recent wins makes you feel like a safer bet.
How to Share Without Being "That Person"
The key is strategic, authentic sharing that focuses on value rather than ego.
Instead of: "Just got promoted to Senior Director! So excited!"
Try: "Grateful to step into the Senior Director role at [Company]. Looking forward to leading our expansion into new markets and building on the 40% growth we achieved this year."
Instead of: "Finally landed my dream job!"
Try: "Excited to join [Company] as their new [Role]. Can't wait to bring my passion for [specific area] to help them [specific goal/challenge]."
The formula is simple:
Acknowledge the achievement without excessive modesty or over-the-top celebration
Highlight the value or impact you're bringing/have brought
Look forward to what you'll accomplish next
Where and When to Share
LinkedIn: Your professional network needs to know about career changes, promotions, new certifications, successful projects, and industry recognition. Share within a week of the good news.
Industry Events/Networking: When people ask "What's new?" this is your chance to share recent wins naturally in conversation.
Email Signatures: Update your signature to reflect new titles, recent achievements, or notable projects.
Professional Conversations: When reconnecting with former colleagues, catching up with mentors, or meeting new contacts, weave in recent successes naturally.
Company Announcements: If your organization is highlighting your achievements, make sure to amplify and share those announcements with your broader network.
The Ripple Effect You're Missing
Here's what happens when you consistently share your professional wins:
Month 1: Your immediate network becomes aware of your growth and new capabilities.
Month 3: People start reaching out with opportunities that match your elevated profile.
Month 6: Recruiters and hiring managers begin approaching you for senior-level roles.
Month 12: You're known as someone who consistently delivers results and advances their career strategically.
Year 2+: You're the person others come to for advice, referrals, and partnership opportunities.
But none of this happens if you keep your successes secret.
Your Action Plan for This Week
Audit your recent wins. What professional good news have you failed to share in the last six months? Promotions, successful projects, new skills, positive feedback, industry recognition?
Choose one achievement and craft a strategic sharing message using the formula above.
Post it on LinkedIn and send personal updates to five key people in your network.
Set a reminder to share future wins within one week of when they happen.
Remember: Humility is a virtue, but invisible achievements don't advance careers.
Your wins aren't just personal victories, they're proof points that demonstrate your value to current and future employers, colleagues, and collaborators. When you share them strategically, you're not bragging, you're building a reputation that opens doors.
Ready to Accelerate Your Career Momentum?
If you're ready to not just achieve career wins but leverage them strategically for bigger opportunities, let's talk. I help ambitious professionals like you build careers that consistently move upward and forward—and that includes maximizing the impact of every success along the way.
[Schedule a strategic career consultation] and let's discuss how to transform your achievements into your next breakthrough opportunity.
Your future self will thank you for sharing the good news.
Yours in shout it from the rooftops success-
EBS
