Last Updated: July 15, 2025
The Brag Document
| Category | What to Track |
|---|---|
| Projects | What you built, launched, or shipped — with impact metrics |
| Collaboration | Teams helped, code reviews, onboarding, mentoring |
| Growth | New skills learned, talks given, blog posts, certifications |
| Praise | Positive feedback from peers, managers, customers — copy-paste into doc |
Self-Assessment Framework
| Section | Content |
|---|---|
| Accomplishments | 3-5 key wins with evidence — STAR format: Situation, Task, Action, Result |
| Areas for Growth | 1-2 honest gaps + what you're doing about them — shows self-awareness |
| Goals (Next Cycle) | 3 specific, measurable goals aligned with team/company priorities |
| Support Needed | What you need from your manager to reach those goals |
Receiving Tough Feedback
1. Listen fullyDon't interrupt or defend — take notes. Process before responding
2. Ask clarifying"Can you share a specific example?" "What would success look like?"
3. Acknowledge"I hear you — that's helpful feedback. Let me think about how to address it"
4. Follow upIn 2 weeks: "Here's what I've changed based on your feedback — am I on track?"
Pro Tip: Keep a 'brag document' year-round — a running list of wins, praise, and impact. When review season comes, you won't have to remember what you did 8 months ago.