3. How to Self-Promote—Without Sounding Self-Centered

ERIC M. VANEPPS, EINAV HART, MAURICE SCHWEITZER

IMAGINE MEETING AN important executive at a networking event. You’re keen to make a good impression. You have some recent accomplishments that you would really like to share, but you worry about coming across as a self-centered braggart. On the other hand, you don’t want to let this opportunity to share your accomplishments slip past you. What should you do? Self-promotion often poses a dilemma: Talking about your accomplishments can make you appear more competent and capable, but it can also make you seem less warm, less friendly, and more selfish. In contrast, being self-deprecating, deflecting credit, or sharing setbacks can make you seem more approachable but also less competent. What can you do to create a great overall impression—projecting both competence and warmth? In new research, we identify a…

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Harvard Business Review Special Issues (Digital) - 1 Issue, Spring 2025

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