In almost every culture, kids — but especially girls — are taught that it’s not polite to talk about one’s achievements. In Japan, for example, the expression “the nail that sticks out gets hammered down” teaches children not to draw attention to themselves. Thousands of miles away in the U.K., kids learn that “the whale that spouts gets harpooned.” Is it any wonder that, by the time we enter the workforce, we’ve internalised the idea that we’ll be penalised if we tout our accomplishments?
But if you’re not comfortable talking about your achievements, how will anyone know about them? Researchers have found that people who feel uncomfortable self-promoting are likely to fall behind their more vocal peers. That’s why Anna Vainer, a marketer in London’s Google office, decided to launch #IamRemarkable with a former colleague, Anna Zapesochini.
“It’s a workshop that empowers women and under-represented groups to practice the skills of self-promotion and celebrate their success, both professionally and personally,” Vainer said.
Watch Vainer explain how she turned her side project into a global movement that has helped 20,000 people across 50 countries share exactly why they’re remarkable.
Learn more about #IamRemarkable here.
