Stop Downplaying Your Impact: Why the Story You Tell Matters at Work

How analytical professionals can communicate impact, not just effort

This past weekend, I met up with my running group for a long run—a moment that unexpectedly turned into a lesson about communication, perception, and career growth for analytical professionals. I knew going in that mine would be shorter than most—I’m rebuilding after an injury and recent surgery.

After my run, I ran into a few people from the group. Without thinking, I found myself explaining:

“I’m coming back from an injury and still trying to build my endurance back up. I had minor surgery for a herniated disc, and it’s just taking longer than I expected to get my mileage back.”

I said it almost apologetically. For no reason.

One guy in the group—someone I didn’t even know—paused and said:

“I don’t know you, but it sounds like you’re really downplaying all of this.”

That comment stopped me in my tracks.

Because here’s another version of the exact same story—also 100% true:

“This was my longest run since July after six months of dealing with a herniated disc, surgery, and a lot of physical therapy. It finally feels like I’m getting back to myself.”

Same facts. Completely different story.

And it made me think about how often we do this at work—especially right now.

Year-End Reviews Are Storytelling Moments

Why performance reviews are really about communication and impact

As year-end review season approaches, I see a familiar pattern play out. People work incredibly hard all year… and then minimize their impact when it’s time to reflect on it.

Even the best managers don’t see everything you do. They don’t know every decision you influenced, every problem you quietly solved, or every downstream impact of your work.

That means your review isn’t just an evaluation—it’s a storytelling moment.

Not in a flashy or arrogant way. But in a clear, accurate, impact-focused way.

A Pattern I Saw Again and Again

Why women often downplay accomplishments at work

When I was a leader reviewing self-assessments, one pattern showed up consistently.

Men, on average, were far more comfortable rating themselves highly and speaking confidently about their performance.

Women—just as capable and impactful—were much more likely to soften their language, hedge their ratings, or assume their work “spoke for itself.”

Not because the men were doing better work. But because it was easier for them to say, “I did a great job.”

Many of us are taught from a young age to be humble, not to brag, not to take up too much space. But that instinct—while well-intentioned—can quietly hold us back.

Being clear about your impact isn’t bragging.

It’s advocacy.

Tasks Don’t Get Rewarded. Impact Does.

How to communicate accomplishments in performance reviews, resumes, and interviews

One of the most common mistakes I see in reviews, resumes, and interviews is focusing on what you did instead of why it mattered.

Early in my career, I could have listed this as an accomplishment:

“Redesigned quarterly budget reporting for Client A.”

That’s accurate—but it doesn’t tell you much.

Here’s how I rewrote it:

“Simplified and fully automated quarterly budget reporting for Client A, eliminating a historically manual process that resulted in approximately $200,000 per year in write-offs.”

Same work. Very different story.

One describes activity. The other demonstrates value.

This distinction matters everywhere:

• Performance reviews

• Promotion conversations

• Resume updates

• Job interviews

• Executive meetings

If you don’t articulate the impact, someone else will—or worse, no one will.

Stop Downplaying Your Impact

How confidence and clarity shape how you’re perceived at work

You don’t need to exaggerate your work. You don’t need to inflate numbers. You don’t need to become someone you’re not.

But you do need to stop apologizing for your effort, your growth, and your impact.

Whether you’re talking about a long run, a tough project, or a year of meaningful work—the story you tell shapes how others see you.

And more importantly, how you see yourself.

A Question to Reflect On

Reframing your story to highlight impact

As you think about your year, ask yourself:

What story have I told—or am I planning to tell—about my work? And how could I reframe it to highlight the impact I had, rather than just the tasks I completed?

That shift alone can change how your work is received—and rewarded.