Every employee needs a 'Yay Folder,' says author of 'Smart, Not Loud': Here's what that means

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Jessica Chen says she was raised in what she would describe as a "quiet culture." She was taught to do her work, hit her goals, and not cause any trouble. In her recently released book "Smart, Not Loud" the CEO of SoulCast, a communication training agency, reflects on how not knowing how or when to speak up for herself has affected her in the workplace. "Growing up, I was never taught the importance of making myself visible, of continually following up as a way of staying top of mind," she wrote. "I was never taught the importance of being proactive or how to speak up with tact." After a few years in the workforce, she realized silently completing tasks is a poor strategy for getting ahead. "What actually mattered was the ability to showcase myself," she wrote. "Not only that, communication and being visible were required — and rewarded." In her book, she outlines a few strategies that can help you celebrate your wins and leverage them to get promotions all without being loud or brash. One you can do in seconds: create a "Yay Folder."