Finding comfort in sharing your success

So far I’ve been lucky to have a fulfilling and interesting career, spanning over 20 years in technology transformation. I’ve worked for organisations including Goldman Sachs JBWere, McKinsey & Company, Dell, National Australia Bank and Insurance Australia Group.

However, early on in my career I hit a roadblock. My progression to that point was based on data, so had been pretty straightforward. There was no ‘wiggle room’ or ambiguity because I’d hit my pre-agreed numbers.

But when my role changed and it became less about the numbers, I wasn’t sure how to continue my momentum. I’d gone from black and white metrics of success to shades of grey. There was no clear path forward for me now.

Looking back, I can see parallels between what I enjoy outside work and how I navigated my career slump. This is a recent revelation, so I’d like to share what I’ve learned to help others who either feel stuck in their job, are not 100 per cent sure how to reach their career goals or are looking for a boost to their confidence.

Colouring your world through constant creation

Every day we create. It's something we all do all the time, often subconsciously. From cooking or gardening to self-improvement, our creations reflect who we are and how we view the world.

The act of creation is a deeply personal one and ignites a sense of wonderment. It’s no wonder some people consider all acts of creation to be creative (in some cases even art).

Regardless of how our creations are viewed, there’s no denying we all have a uniqueness inside us. This includes how we solve problems when we write code.

As a Customer and Origination Lead at ANZ, I specialise in technology transformation, complex distributed workflow design and engineering, problem solving, cloud solution architecture and complex hybrid cloud implementations. Most recently, my focus has been on advanced generative artificial intelligence.

Engineering is one of the best jobs in the world because we get to create every day, putting our stamp and leaving our mark on everything we do.

The other side of this ‘creation story’ is we become attached to what we do. This can make it hard to share our work with others as we tend to take their opinions as personal criticism.

However, sharing and the resulting connection can help take your work to the next level. It is also the first step to finding role models and other important people who can guide you in your career. (Adam Grant discusses this on his podcast ‘Work Life’ in the episode ‘Your Brain on Art’ with Ivy Ross and Susan Magsamen.)

Removing barriers to connection

Don't let technicalities hinder you from sharing your work. As junior employees, we often assume the most knowledgeable person in the room is always judging us on our technical skills and execution.

For those who are genuinely curious and receptive, the situation is different. These individuals might share your viewpoint and appreciate the connection.

Even if they haven’t learnt anything ‘new’ on the topic, you can still give them a lot. The support to carry on, the insight to try a topical challenge again and even the encouragement to ask for help or to help others when asked.

Unfortunately, cultural barriers can prevent people sharing their work freely. Cultural norms like ‘Tall Poppy Syndrome’ really hurt in large organisations because it can mean remarkable achievements, behaviours and innovations may go unnoticed.

In 2008 I attended a talk called ‘Can you hear me now?’ This 90-minute presentation profoundly changed my perspective on sharing and self-promotion. As a young Australian in an American company, Goldman Sachs, my cultural view was not to ‘puff yourself up.’

But managers – overwhelmed by reports, meetings and responsibilities – often cannot see the daily contributions of their team members. Instead, they may rely on indirect feedback from others. This realisation was enlightening.

Without sharing and talking about what I do, there was no way my manager could know about my achievements. If I wanted them to know, to acknowledge or amplify my work, I had to communicate and share what I’d done.

Self-promotion is not just about seeking praise, but ensuring people who value our work are given the opportunity to hear about it.

Bringing out your best and finding your people

Months later when practising self-promotion for the first time, I learnt the importance of self-reflection. I examined how I faced challenges, my personal growth and the steps to accomplishment.

This made the whole journey clear to me, not just the achievement at the end. Recognising and articulating the tangible and intangible benefits of my work - and my impact - meant I could communicate these effectively to others.

Some role models may inspire us through professional achievements, while others provide a moral compass. Focusing on where we want to go is crucial for the journey as it leads us to search for relevant exemplars.

When searching for role models, variety is critical when searching for the inspiration and guidance which resonates with our personal circumstances and aspirations.

For example, the engineer might find inspiration in a pioneering scientist. While a first-time parent might draw strength from a co-worker and parent of three children.

Invitation to connect

Role models are essential in our professional and personal lives, but finding them requires visibility and connection. By embracing self-promotion, you can enhance your visibility, connect with potential role models and inspire others.

In doing so, you are contributing to a culture of recognition, learning and collaboration – and making the journey richer for everyone involved.

Adelle McDonald is Customer and Origination Lead at ANZ Plus