The Value of an Impact Inventory

I was one of 4 speakers at a women’s leadership summit here in Tallahassee last Wednesday – rest assured that what I’m talking about today applies to men and women, at all career levels. Our opening keynote speaker was amazing – her name is Rachel Druckenmiller.

A central theme of all the presenters – not prearranged, mind you – was the concept of keeping track of your achievements and being willing to toot your horn about those achievements.

Rachel used the term Impact Inventory, which I intend to use with my clients from now on.

What is an Impact Inventory?

What are we talking about? Keeping track of every accolade, certification, presentation, etc. I recommend a paper and an electronic file to accommodate the various ways you might receive this information.

Here are some examples:

-You boss’s boss sends you an email, congratulating you on your project’s success

-You attend a week-long sales training at corporate headquarters

-You served as the United Way co-chair

-You spoke at a Rotary meeting on [topic]

-You were the treasurer for your state association

As well, keep your performance evaluations and any metrics related to your success. Often, I work with clients who didn’t keep their metrics and no longer have access to that information.

How might you use this information?

-To avoid forgetting the thing ever happened

-In preparing your self-evaluation for your performance review

-To ask for a promotion, a raise, or other considerations (such as a more flexible work schedule)

-To update your resume and LinkedIn profile

-To help formulate your CARL stories for a job interview

-Not to be overlooked: To lift your confidence when it is ebbing

“This sounds like bragging.” (AKA, I just put my head down and do the work)

As my mom used to say, “It ain’t bragging if you can prove it.”

Our speaker Rachel used the term “Confident Humility.” This is such a critical piece of self-promotion. Let’s break that down.

If you are Confident but not humble – you come across as a self-serving braggart.

If you are humble but have no confidence – you come across as timid and possible invisible.

So we need both. Confident Humility.

Here’s what this looks like: In a meeting with your boss, “Cheryl, I wanted to let you know I’ve recently completed the Marketing Expert certification through Excellent Marketing Company. One of the concepts I really liked was [a little detail], and here’s how I’m thinking my team could implement this concept [give specifics].

One more thing.

It must be said: Accept others’ praise graciously. DO NOT negate what they are offering by trying to neutralize or minimize it.

For example, if a team member makes the effort in a meeting to give you recognition for your contribution to a recent project, you want to respond with something like, “Thank you so much, Joe. It was a tremendous team effort and I really enjoyed being a part of it.”

As opposed to going straight to: “It was a team effort.” When doing this, you are negating your coworker’s praise.