HBR Guide to Smarter Networking (HBR Guide Series)

CHAPTER 8

The Right Way to Brag

by Francesca Gino

In both our social and professional interactions, we commonly focus on managing the impressions that others form of us, especially when these others do not know us well. In fact, when we first approach these situations and stakes are high, we often receive the same advice from colleagues, mentors, and friends: Try to make a good impression. Though this is generally good advice, our intuitions on what types of strategies will create a positive impression are often wrong.

While we are naturally nervous about revealing our weaknesses or outright bragging about our strengths, doing so often is more effective than saying things that could make us seem inauthentic or insincere. A case in point is “humblebragging,” ...