Bragging Without Looking Like an Ahole

Confidence is attractive. Arrogance? Not so much. The real flex? Balancing competence and warmth.

That balance is what makes someone genuinely likable. And one way to brag without sounding annoying is by using a little trick called dual promotion.

Here’s how it works: You highlight your own success, without shrinking it, and pair it with a real compliment to someone else. A colleague who sharpened your thinking. A teammate who pulled through. Even a competitor who pushed you to level up.

The key is keeping it real. Lay it on too thick, and it sounds fake. Leave yourself out of it, and you’ve just written a thank-you note. This is about showing up with confidence, the kind of confidence that knows someone else’s success doesn’t dim your own.

So the next time you want to share a win, or brag, do it. Just remember to boast about someone else too.

Not sure how to say it without sounding like an ahole? Give me a shout, we’ll figure it out together.