How to Self-Promote — Without Sounding Self-Centered

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Promoting your own accomplishments can feel uncomfortable, and poses a dilemma: It can make you appear more confident and capable, but can also make you seem less warm, less friendly, and more selfish. On the other hand, self-deprecation or deflecting credit, may make you seem approachable but it diminishes your competency. New research, based on a series of 11 studies, suggests that dual promotion — in which you compliment a colleague or peer while talking about your own accomplishments — can both boost perceptions of warmth without harming perceptions of competence. Audiences both learn about your abilities and see you demonstrate concern for others. By talking positively about other people, you signal that you aren’t self-centered — you’re a well-intentioned, warm colleague.

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?

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