6 Ways to Be Humble and Still Get Credit for Your Work - The Muse

6 Ways to Be Humble and Still Get leistungspunkt for Your Work - The Muse6 Ways to Be Humble and Still Get Credit for Your WorkYou know whats just as hard as being confident without seeming vermessen? Being humble without selling yourself short.Humble people are well-liked and respected in the office. Their peers love to work with them, and their bosses love to manage them. However, if youre too humble, you run the risk of seeming passive or insecure. Even worse, you could get passed over for opportunities because no one knows you deserve them.Ive spent a lot of time observing how people successfully walk this line- and heres what Ive found.1. They Take CreditWhen someone congratulates you on a job well done, you might be tempted to say sohonigweinhing like, Oh, thank you, but it was all KathySure, Kathy will be grateful, but guess who will get the raise, next cool project, or public accolade when the time rolls around? Not you- Kathy.Try this response insteadThank you I really enjoy ed working on your share of the assignment. And Kathy did a brilliant job with Kathys share of the assignment.Youll get your credit, Kathy will get her credit, and youll sound gracious to boot. (Read about why you should use brilliant more often.)2. They Ask QuestionsDespite what most people think, asking questions doesnt make you sound unintelligent or uniformed. On the contrary- people respect your willingness to show what you dont know.Next time someones giving a presentation, explaining a concept, or simply talking to you, Id encourage you to ask (almost) any question that forms in your mind.Here are a couple different ways of phrasing your questionsThats so interesting. Could you go more in-depth?Im unfamiliar with that concept. Tell me moreYoure clearly well-versed on topic, and I actually know very little. Id love if you could walk me through the process/give me a primer/explain the main concepts.Huh, I dont know if I got all that. Would you mind running through that one more time?The exception If youre fairly confident you can find the answer on Google, take out your phone or leidebook and jot down the question. He or she will think youre so invested in the discussion that youre taking notes (which technically, you are). Then, when you have a spare moment, research your question.3. They Share What They KnowThe flip side of being unafraid to ask questions? Being unafraid to share your knowledge. I used to stay quiet whenever I was in meetings with people much more important than me, even if they were talking about something I actually knew a lot about.However, now I know that its not the status of the contributor that matters, its the quality of the contribution. In situations where youd normally hold back, try introducing your thoughts withThats a great point, name. Id like to addMy work at X company, in Y field, as a Z professional showed me thatIve always been intrigued by topic, and surprisingly4. They Treat Everyone EquallySure, wed all like to thi nk we give everyone equal treatment, regardless of whether theyre the intern or the CEO. But thats not always the case.In my experience, people who are humble (but not overly so), are kind, attentive, and courteous to everyone they come across. Ive met people just one rung above me on the ladder whod ignore me, while Ive also met C-suite executives who pay attention to my ideas, make an effort to remember small details about me, and greet with me big smiles whenever we cross paths in the office. Guess who seems more humble?If youre ever unsure whether youre pulling your rank (or you know you are, and need a reminder to stop), pretend youre on Undercover Boss, and the person that youre brushing off has the power to promote you or fire you. It works like a charm.5. They Ask for FeedbackTheres a lot of unsolicited feedback at work. Am I seriously suggesting you ask for more? Yup.Heres the thing When people voluntarily makes themselves vulnerable by asking for feedback, they prove they respect your opinion, dont have huge egos, and are willing to change to benefit the organization. In other words, they look awesome.If you already have structured feedback sessions, make sure youre regularly asking for comments from your team members, your managers, and your direct reports.Here are a couple ways to phrase thatHey, name It was great collaborating on that project with you. Do you have any thoughts on how I could improve my work, presentation style, leadership skills, etc.?Id love to hear what youre enjoying about working under me, as well as what I could do to improve your experience.I know we have reviews every quarter, but Im eager to push myself professionally. Would it be possible to do a quick feedback session every Friday?6. They Let Other People BragIn the past, when Ive encountered arrogant people, my competitive side has gotten the best of me, and I end up trying to prove myself. But this habit is pointless, because it leads to a silly game of one-upmanship. (And I shouldnt care about their opinion, anyway.)Ive noticed that humble people never get into these power plays. Instead of reacting, they smile, nod, and let the person have his or her moment. Not only is it much more productive, but the bragger is satisfied and less likely to keep going if no ones egging him or her on.Theres a couple replies that come in handy in these situationsThats pretty cool you were able to insert accomplishment here. What are you up to these days?Im impressed. So, when youre not insert accomplishment here- congrats on that, by the way- what do you like to do for fun?With these six techniques, youll maintain the perfect balance between humble and confident.Photo of woman smiling courtesy of Shutterstock.