Lean in s/o: Tell us about something awesome you did at work

[y4m]

Are you making people aware of how awesome you are?  Or taking a seat at the table?  Or not leaning out before it's actually time to lean out?  Lean In worthy brags go here...

[Deleted]

My story is more about what others have done and a good example of how those in positions of authority can encourage women (and employees generally).

I perform work for a bunch of people who are in positions of authority but who aren't my direct supervisors and have no official responsibility for me. Two different people have been so pleased with my work on difficult projects that they emailed me to thank me and copied my direct supervisor on it. It's both encouraging to me and good that my name is being associated with good work.

[y4m]

I broadened my initial post...we should do these regularly to keep this mindset and get people in the habit of bragging on themselves.

Mine...I did a software demo this week and rocked it. Made a recording so I could share it with some new people on my team as a learning tool for them, and also to give my bosses a chance to see me 1. rock it and 2. step out of my job description to help others on the team.

[orangeblossom]

It's been awhile since this happened, but our state was one of the first to use a data system differently than what it was intended for.

I gave a lot of ideas and suggestions that were implemented to make it easier and my name was frequently passed on to people to get help with the system.

Also, when I left my job previous to the one I just left, a high-ranking official I spoke to in passing and just had a few coversations, reached out to one of her colleagues in the city and department I was going to and told them all about me and the good work I'd done and asked them to meet with me. I was shocked and pleasantly surprised that she did so. It meant a lot.

Sometimes you do make a difference even when you think you're just doing your job.

[Deleted]

I am always the favorite doc of all the interns every year. I give them lectures, they sit with me while I interview clients and other stuff. I work with them to broaden their horizons when it comes to job searches, to build their academic knowledge and combine it with real-life experiences.

I serve as an excellent role model for men and women because of how I present myself: confident, excellent relationships with patients, I work hard, I am academically and intuitively astute, and I am approachable.

I kick-ass.

[gt7301b]

I was invited to give a presentation at our VP's direct report staff meeting last week. (I'm not a direct report). One of the managers above me stopped me in the hall after the presentation and told me I did a great job.

[dr.girlfriend]

I knew I was underpaid for a long time. There was a lot of discussion about an "equity adjustment," wherein we would have our salaries adjusted to "market rate." It finally came through and it was a ridiculously measley (like 2%) adjustment. I was like, "HELL NO." My colleague and I totally colluded, calling everyone we knew at other similar institutions to ask what they were offering someone as a starting salary straight out of postdoc. I bypassed my immediate boss (mostly because I was so freakin' mad, she supported me but was not very assertive in advocating for us) and sent a fiery email straight to our financial manager pointing out that we are supposed to be one of the top institutions in the world, and yet six years into my career I was making less than starting salary at almost every other institution, most of them in dramatically lower cost of living areas. We all (there were only three of us at the time) got bumped up significantly, and over time with compounded raises and stuff that's probably made a huge difference in my salary.

[Deleted]

I actually talked with my manager about this at my annual review yesterday. The management team wants me to do more about communicating industry trends, what my teams are working on, and my accomplishments. They say while I do a great job I don't do a good job of letting people know. He's going to try and help me with this. I did mention during the review that I don't see examples of anybody else in our department doing this so I it seems strange for be the only one doing it. I guess they think if I start doing it others will follow suit.

[krystee]

I won an industry award for our big campaign this year.

[Deleted]

I negotiated my salary and asked for more sick time even though I was afraid of being told no or sounding greedy. I ignored the urge to back down and give an out like "if not, that's ok too."

They agreed to everything.

[jene]

I became the first woman in our organization to obtain a professional certification. I am 1 of 2 people in my immediate team to have it, and roughly 1 of 20 in the entire company.

[chia]

Right before maternity leave, I had an awesome work review. Not only was my rating great, I took the opportunity to tell my boss what I wanted out of the next 5 years.

I worked really hard, right up until the baby was born - and, actually completed a big project at 10PM the night before he arrived. I think it sent me into labor, honestly.

Now, while on leave, I've already talked to the boss about some ambitious projects for when I return.

In addition, outside of work I applied for a volunteer committee/Board position, and just had an interview last week. It would be a great experience, personally and professionally.

[y4m]

Aug 30, 2013 13:15:46 GMT -5 monsterz said:

I actually talked with my manager about this at my annual review yesterday. The management team wants me to do more about communicating industry trends, what my teams are working on, and my accomplishments. They say while I do a great job I don't do a good job of letting people know. He's going to try and help me with this. I did mention during the review that I don't see examples of anybody else in our department doing this so I it seems strange for be the only one doing it. I guess they think if I start doing it others will follow suit.

Could you do like a monthly email newsletter to let the rest of the group know what your team is up to?  Summarize key accomplishments, news they can use about the industry, etc.?

[Deleted]

Pls don't quote.

*poof*

[y4m]

Aug 30, 2013 14:15:14 GMT -5 BirdGirl said:

Pls don't quote.

DUDE!  That is so cool! 

[pamela]

I proposed a new format for our continuing training, ramped up communication and expectations and got 90% attendance compared to <50% they had in previous years. Also, we're implementing a major database change at each site and I have cultivated a positive attitude about it in my instructors and they are all jumping in and using it where as all of the other sites are dragging their feet and still using the old methods.

[y4m]

Aug 30, 2013 14:20:39 GMT -5 pamela said:

I proposed a new format for our continuing training, ramped up communication and expectations and got 90% attendance compared to <50% they had in previous years. Also, we're implementing a major database change at each site and I have cultivated a positive attitude about it in my instructors and they are all jumping in and using it where as all of the other sites are dragging their feet and still using the old methods.

This will make an awesome resume bullet.  Love when you can quantify your impact that way.

[pamela]

Aug 30, 2013 14:22:22 GMT -5 y4m said:

Aug 30, 2013 14:20:39 GMT -5 pamela said:

I proposed a new format for our continuing training, ramped up communication and expectations and got 90% attendance compared to <50% they had in previous years. Also, we're implementing a major database change at each site and I have cultivated a positive attitude about it in my instructors and they are all jumping in and using it where as all of the other sites are dragging their feet and still using the old methods.

This will make an awesome resume bullet.  Love when you can quantify your impact that way.

LOL, already copied there.  And it happened just in time for my mid-year eval/reorg decisions.  I'm having to practice my bragging. :-)

[y4m]

Ooh I also got my first real sale since I've been at this company this month (my 1 year anniversary is coming up!). It's for a huge global brand that is very strategic for us, and it was also the biggest deal in company history We closed another today that I was very involved with, and I think there will be two or three more before the end of the quarter. It was 11 long months of not seeing my name in the company-wide congratulations email, and now I finally feel like I'm justifying my presence here!

[LoveTrains]

I started a program that increased our alumni donors by over 30% in one year.

[Deleted]

I presented a 5-hour social media bootcamp on the same day my kid started school. BAM.

[explorer2001]

I have been saving all the good job/congratulations emails from the president of my company (small company). By helping clients and partner organizations and gaining a reputation as an expert in the new regulations impacting our industry, I've been instrumental in bringing in over $90K of new business to the company in the last year.

[smiley]

Aug 30, 2013 12:11:41 GMT -5 ribollita said:

Sandberg says men will apply for something when they meet 60% of the criteria and women 100%.

I applied for a promotion when I met maybe 85% of the criteria. I got it.

I applied for a position when I was only recently trained and had never done the job alone. I was given the position at a new location. The person who helped set up the store with me said I would never make it. Now, I am the best in the district helping train associates for this position. I also just had the pleasure of opening another location but this time I was the coach. We have another location opening later this year I believe with how I excelled these past two weeks I'll be doing it again.

[Deleted]

Aug 30, 2013 14:14:52 GMT -5 y4m said:

Aug 30, 2013 13:15:46 GMT -5 monsterz said:

I actually talked with my manager about this at my annual review yesterday. The management team wants me to do more about communicating industry trends, what my teams are working on, and my accomplishments. They say while I do a great job I don't do a good job of letting people know. He's going to try and help me with this. I did mention during the review that I don't see examples of anybody else in our department doing this so I it seems strange for be the only one doing it. I guess they think if I start doing it others will follow suit.

Could you do like a monthly email newsletter to let the rest of the group know what your team is up to?  Summarize key accomplishments, news they can use about the industry, etc.?

I already do this on a quarterly basis.  I was actually the only PM that did this and then all the other teams started requesting them which resulted in everybody having to do them.  Most people have stopped by I continue to provide these.  

[Deleted]

I am an academic advisor for the first time this year, and I am really good at it. I advocate for my students to get them into the most appropriate classes, even when that's not the typical track. And I calm them down when they feel like THEIR LIFE IS OVER because they're not taking general chemistry this semester. I have already gotten several e-mails expressing appreciation.

[Roc A Bee]

Aug 30, 2013 18:59:38 GMT -5 RockNVoll said:

ETA: I am dying to know what BirdGirl posted!

Me too!

[MixedBerryJam]

I don't work outside the home, but I do volunteer at the cancer clinic where my husband was treated (coming up on 3 years, I learned today) and just today a patient complimented me to my boss for something that to me was utterly ordinary, but to him, well, after a long, hard day filled with bad news, I guess it was big. I can remember those kinds of days, and the reason I volunteer there is, well, people were so kind to us, and I wanted to be able to return the kindness. When I found out what transpired, I was touched beyond words. I never share my story with patients unless I'm asked specific questions due to my husband's outcome, but this man's words just meant the world to me.

Also today, and unrelated, I was chatting with the parent of a pediatric cancer patient who, when his dayghter was 6 months old, was told there was no hope for her and he should just have another baby. So he brought her daughter to the Dana and today was her 27-year checkup. What an uplifting day I had ... Then I had to go hear that 96-year-old widower's love song to his late wife. Gah.

[cosmos]

Well I tried to get more money for this new job than their offer. They didn't give me more, but I did get an extra week of vacation. I am ok with that bc I am still getting a big raise. Biggest jump I've ever gotten! Finally hit 6 figures!!

I hope I have more to share in the future.

[starlily]

I am speaking up more at meetings.
I am also cc'ing the 2 higher ups beyond my immediate supervisor when I research certain issues. My CW and I are basically the only 2 attorneys assigned to cover an area of emerging law, and CW is a dinosaur who hates using the computer.

I am also trying to break the cycle of cattiness and not talk smack about anyone [except a couple people who really deserve it ].

I haven't read Lean In yet, but I bought it at lunch after reading the discussion post.

[LoveTrains]

Aug 30, 2013 21:05:39 GMT -5 cosmos said:

Well I tried to get more money for this new job than their offer. They didn't give me more, but I did get an extra week of vacation. I am ok with that bc I am still getting a big raise. Biggest jump I've ever gotten! Finally hit 6 figures!!

I hope I have more to share in the future.

I would give up some of my vacay time for a six figure salary.