When I was growing up, it was considered very bad manners to show anything other than modesty, all the time, even if it was false modesty. The idea was that people could see for themselves what your skills, talents, gifts, strengths, achievements and successes were, without you having to point it out to them.

Now on a social level, this is broadly a good principle, although I don’t hold with false modesty, and it’s perfectly possible to be politely humble without being meek. The alternative is being a braggart, and that’s never welcomed by the people around you.

However, when it comes to work, you just can’t assume that your bosses will notice what you’ve been up to, or realise that it was you who suggested that particularly effective new system, or remember the great piece of work you produced last February. You have to tell them.

I’ve known people languish on slow career ladders for years, wondering why other people are being promoted ahead of them, when the reason is quite simply that they’re not bringing their successes to the attention of the boss – or the boss’s boss. Look, in this modern world, management people don’t have time to sit around reflecting on what their team members have been up to. They haven’t got time to look at anything if it’s not under their noses. So if you want them to see what you’re up to, put it right there under their nose. And then point at it.

Of course you’re still not allowed to brag. That doesn’t go down well with anyone. You can’t walk the office corridor singing, ‘I’m the best salesperson they’ve ever had!’ at the top of your voice and expect to be liked. And being liked matters – management won’t want to promote you if you’re universally unpopular. So how are you going to ensure that the bosses know all the good stuff you’ve been up to?

For a start you can make sure you attach your name clearly (but not ostentatiously) to every piece of written work you do. Send round emails after particular successes. No, not emails that say, ‘wasn’t I brilliant?’ but ones that are relevant – asking for feedback, drawing attention to a significant sale or coup, passing on feedback from customers. You can even copy the boss in to your email thanking your team. They all make the point that you were responsible, without bragging. Make sure you mention the things you’re proudest of at your appraisal, in case your boss has forgotten them. And if you’re achieving particular success with a new system, approach, strategy or technique of your own devising, write an unsolicited report about how the company could benefit if they introduced it across the board.

You see? None of these things will make your grandmother cringe at your pushiness or boastfulness, but they will ensure that your strengths get noticed so that next time there’s a promotion or a pay rise in the offing… well, your name will be remembered.

And there’s just one more thing you need to do to make all this effort worthwhile. Be damn good at your job.