You work hard, but who notices it? Does your principal recognize what you do? Are teachers aware of the many ways you can make their jobs easier and promote student learning? What do parents know about the library program? How about the school board and the community?

Learning how to promote your program is as important as anything else you do. Being visible is crucial for being valued. And if you are not valued, you are likely to become history.

For many of us, self-promotion seems like bragging, which has a strong negative perception. But you don’t have to boast about your accomplishments to make sure people are aware of them. There are more subtle ways to get your message across.

In her blog article, Jessica Chen, author of Smart, Not Loud: How to Get Noticed at Work for All the Right Reasons. presents ideas on How to Get Noticed at Work as a Quiet Person which can be useful for those who feel less comfortable sharing their wins:

• How you talk about your wins – Even if you were the driving force in a project or event, focus on those who benefited. Talk about what students achieved. Inform your principal about the great job the teacher did in working with you. In the explanation, you will show them your contribution. As an additional benefit, the teacher will appreciate the recognition and share that with others. Relationships will deepen and new connections may be created.
• Shaping your career brand – This is about getting noticed for those aspects of librarianship you most value. Chen has several steps for doing this.
• Get crystal clear on your core values – This should include AASL’s Common Beliefs, your Vision, Mission, and whatever else you find vital to a school library program
• Find your differentiating factor – What part of your job do you love the most? What are you best at? Is it tech? Do you most love designing learning opportunities? Is it interacting with students? This is your talent, your superpower. It’s what you bring that allows your program to shine in a way only you can.
• Link your talent to opportunity – Seize any chance to use your talent more widely. If tech is your superpower, see if you can find a place the district’s tech committee. Get friendly with the IT department. If you enjoy the student interactions most, start a club or lead an extra-curricular activity.
• Advocating for yourself – While this is the biggest challenge for many, Chen makes it easier using the acronym ACCT.
• Ask for what you want – No one is going to give it to you if they don’t know you want it. Whether it’s a budget increase or collaboration with a teacher, you need to take the first step by asking.
• Circle back – You are not likely to get a positive response on the first request. Ask again, perhaps modifying the request. Some people say no to learn if you are truly committed to the idea. (I had a Superintendent like this!)
• Celebrate your wins – Share any positive feedback you receive whether from students, teachers or parents. Forward any positive email to your principal saying this made your day.
• Turning down requests – This is the hard one because usually, we can’t do that. Since we don’t want to load up our day with tasks that don’t forward or promote our program look for ways the ask can be modified to align it better with what you want to achieve.
• Speak up in meetings – Introverts tend to stay quiet, and the result is they are unseen. Chen recommends The 4A Sequence:
• Active listening – To help you engage, listen for key words and the right moment to speak up.
• Acknowledge – Acknowledge the last speaker so it doesn’t sound as though you interrupted them.
• Anchor – Using one or two words from what the last speaker said, you are connecting your ideas to what has gone before.
• Answer – Now briefly make your point. Be clear and concise so that the listeners know your focus.

Hiding your light under a bushel won’t get you or your program noticed. As a leader, you need to be visible in a positive way. It’s an important skill to learn to show the people in your community  how you make a difference.