According to the Associated Press, about 400 billion photos have been shared on Facebook since its launch a decade ago. Even though that may seem like social media trivia, that idea’s a powerful strategy to improve your career. Make your career into a selfie.

Snap!

Selfies are those quick self-photos people take with their smartphones and instantly post on the Internet. If you think that most selfies are taken by Justin B., Kim and other celebs who are totally convinced that the world is desperate for pictures of them half-naked … you’re wrong. Everyone from the Pope to Hillary Clinton is making and sharing them.

You Are Here

The reason is simple. We all want to feel that we matter, that we are significant. A selfie is a way to communicate a moment – where we are, what we’re doing and how we are feeling. It’s the communication equivalent of the mall map with the big X labeled “You Are Here.”

But if you think about it, there’s no difference between an instant self-portrait that we share and the image you present at work every day. Your career is a selfie. It’s the result of where you are, what you’re doing, how you are feeling and how people react to you. It should be a reflection of who we are as people.

Who Are You?

So who are you? Are you the same at home as you are on the job? Why should there be a difference? Problems stem from any disconnect between the selfie you show and who you really are. Does your image reflect the reality of your talents, your personality and the strengths you really offer?

Improve Your Career

Now is the time to fix it. With constantly emerging technology, there has never been more transparency in the workplace. Like it or not, there are few secrets. Our lives are out there, warts and all. With so much emphasis on the instant and superficial, people are looking for someone real and authentic to connect with. It doesn’t matter if it’s a corporate leader or a neighbor; people are searching for something special – not someone who’s just “playing the game.”

The word “authentic” comes from Greek and means “one who acts on his own authority.” Not being genuine and authentic means you are pretending. You aren’t being yourself. You don’t say what you mean and mean what you say. Trust me. Your coworkers notice! If you’re like me, you see it all the time.

Rewriting and Reconstructing You

I’ve worked with more than one executive who is warm, sincere, humorous and humble on stage. He asks for your involvement and input. But if you meet him in the elevator after the meeting, he’s cold, abrasive and dismisses you immediately. Who is this guy? Suddenly, all his credibility is gone.

“People are valued for who they are and not what they do.”

A Wise Man

So let’s tackle the issue. How do you make sure that the selfie you create in your career reflects the real you?

Be Yourself

It takes courage to be who you are. Still, it’s the only way to be authentic and genuine. Here are some things to “Be”:

•  Be Open – Instead of creating an armor of attitude and superiority, allow yourself to be human. You are just a person who is doing a job. Instead of trying to prove how great and powerful you are, communicate that you are just like the people around you. Nothing else builds stronger bonds and loyalty.

•  Be Truthful – Honesty isn’t a game. Being truthful is not the same as “not lying.” If you set people up to draw the wrong conclusion because you left something out, then you are not honest. There’s no such thing as “not technically lying.”

•  Be Consistent –Be the person you need to be. That’s how you establish your value. Don’t have one image for the people you work with and a different one for higher management or clients.

•  Be Creditable – Know what you believe and the principles you hold true. Don’t have two sets of rules. “It’s not personal, it’s just business” is wrong. It’s always personal. Make sure your beliefs and principles guide your actions.

•  Be Considerate – Give the type of feedback and responses you’d like to receive. Performance isn’t the final factor or measurement. Respond to what the other person brings to the process: flexibility, determination, collaboration, and tenacity. Acknowledging achievement is fine but it’s better to be known for affirming a person. Gratitude is a great selfie.

This may be the most important point of all. Remember the people around you are struggling also. That’s was one big take-away from the article – Six Smooth Moves That Make You Look Smart. There are no prizes for being right if you bruise and use people in the process. To be authentic and genuine you have to play well with others.

Don’t Be a Selfie, Be a Usie

According to people who have time to track these things, selfies are already being replaced by Usies. An Usie is when someone takes a picture of themselves as a part of a group. It’s a group selfie.

An Usie – The Johnston Herd!

In your career, you are viewed in relationship to everyone around you. You are not a solo act. Instead of “Look at me!” change your image to “Here I am with …”

Put yourself in the context of the people around you.

Do you want to be perceived as being all about you?

Or do you want to be seen as someone who is involved, accepted and valued by the people you contact each day?

Life at Arm’s Length

In June 2010, the iPhone4 came out with a front-facing camera. Suddenly, users could frame their own self-portraits. Even though the term “selfie” was first used in 2005, this is when the idea took off. And there’s no going back.

Facebook’s 10^th anniversary revealed just how widely the idea has spread. AP noted that if you printed all the selfies posted on Facebook four to a sheet of paper and lined them up, they’d reach to the moon and back 34 times.

Shouldn’t your career have the same impact? You can make every day a series of authentic, personal moment you share with everyone you contact. All you have to do is use these tips to help make your career a greater career. Make your career into a Usie.

Let’s spend 15 minutes talking about your next project or challenge. It’s a free consultation so we can get to know each other. Just click on CONTACT US or send an email to andy@ideagroupatlanta.com and get in touch.

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