I was once afraid of people saying, “Who does she think she is?” Now I have the courage to stand and say, “This is who I am.”
~Oprah Winfrey
Many people find it challenging to articulate their value. Yet knowing your value removes fear and uncertainty, unlocks doors, and opens up opportunities.
Being able to communicate your value to others is about the difference you make – what you’re good at and why it matters. When you articulate your value, you put yourself in the position to do things that you are both good at and that you enjoy.
Although it is important to be able to describe your key skills and strengths, this is not the same as articulating the value you bring to your current role or could bring to a future role. Articulating your value goes beyond what you’ve accomplished and is about being able to identify, articulate and communicate what benefits you can bring to others.
Your value = the problems you can solve for others.
First and foremost, it’s important to identify and understand what it is that you want to bring and contribute to your organisation, a meeting with colleagues, a potential client, or a prospective employer. This isn’t about promoting yourself; it’s about finding the language to best capture who you are so that you can explain what you can contribute.
In other words, finding the right language will give you the ability to establish credibility, persuade others and influence decision-making.
Ask yourself the following:
- What is unique about my life and work experience?
- What gives me a deep sense of fulfilment?
- What’s my expertise?
- Where do I want to contribute and how do my contributions benefit others?
If you’re feeling stuck answering these questions or finding the right language to articulate your value, you can begin with using a tool like the Standout strengths assessment. This is free and is great for developing self-awareness and self-confidence.
Once you’ve done the assessment, it’s helpful to take an outside-in look at your organisation, prospective employer or client’s aims and consider the following questions:
Who do you bring value to?
What pressures are they under?
What problems are holding them back?
How do you solve those problems better or differently?
Why does it matter?
Think about where you can share your value – in your team meetings, your networking, your social media, or a job interview.
The ability to communicate what you can bring will allow you to persuade others and influence decision-making. Furthermore, it will help you to build trust and respect.
When you speak with power to articulate your value, you convey confidence and authority, which will build your reputation and recognition. It can also help you to stand out in an interview and provide opportunities for career advancement.
If you’re reading this and currently preparing for a job interview, then you may find the following helpful to communicate your value:
You’re probably familiar with the STAR method for answering interview questions:
Situation – setting the scene by briefly describing the context of the situation.
Task – explaining what your responsibilities were and the role that you played.
Action – describing the steps you took to address the situation.
Result – sharing what you achieved.
Add an extra ‘R’ to connect the results you achieved and explain the Relevance of these to your prospective employer’s organisation. This extra ‘R’ will enable you to tell a compelling story about what is most unique and effective about you but also how you’ll apply this to the contribution you can make in the role.
