Getting the Recognition You Deserve

Getting the Recognition You Deserve

Get what you deserve

Feeling like you’re still missing out on the recognition you merit at work? Follow these seven tips to get the appreciation you deserve from your bosses and co-workers.

Publicly congratulate your co-workers for their accomplishments

Be sure to point out any accomplishments that might be a little off the manager’s radar, Ventrice suggests. By complimenting others, hopefully one or more of these people will mention your contributions, too. Even if they don’t, Ventrice says, praise them anyway – it will make it more palatable when you praise yourself.

“If it isn’t always about you, people will be more willing to see self-recognition in a positive light.”

Tell your boss what you’ve accomplished
Be brief, to the point and do it privately, Ventrice says. Remember to share the credit.

“Most of the time, you didn’t accomplish what you did in isolation,” Ventrice says. “Others helped, even if it was by taking up the slack while you got the project done.”

Ask for the tough assignments
They will give you visibility while letting you grow, Ventrice says.

“If you’re invisible, you aren’t in the running for promotions, raises or new opportunities.”

Ask for feedback
Don’t get defensive when it isn’t all positive, Ventrice says. “Negative feedback can be recognition. If feedback is offered with good intentions and framed as a development tool, most employees appreciate learning the hard lessons,” Ventrice writes in her book. “Thank him or her regardless.”

Describe what you learned from an experience
This turns the conversation into a development conversation rather than an opportunity to brag about you.


Have a conversation that describes the recognition that you would most like to earn This way, you aren’t whining about the past, but looking toward the future.

Compliment your boss

“Middle managers are the most under-recognized group out there. They are operating at a recognition deficit. Give them a little praise, show them a little appreciation, and they may recognize you and everyone else a little more frequently.”