Loud Thinking

Get People to See Your Potential

Overcoming people’s perceptions of you isn’t easy. But getting bosses, peers, or potential clients to realize, and remember, what you’re doing now—and grasp what you’re truly capable of—is important if you want them to think of you when new opportunities arise. Here’s how:
Create content. Blog posts, podcasts, videos, or even a savvy and professional Twitter feed demonstrates your expertise and enables people to judge you based on the quality of the material you produce, not your history or credentials.
Find a wingman. Team up with someone and take turns promoting each other. At cocktail parties or conferences, you both can make a point of mentioning each other’s accomplishments or bringing up topics where your partner excels.

Adapted by HBR from “How to Get Others to See Your Potential,” by Dorie Clark.