How do you communicate your success and achievements without sounding arrogant or boastful?

When communicating results within an organization or team or writing your Resume or Profile, one needs to be writing effectively to achieve the objective while maintaining integrity and absolute truth. Being proud of the results while acknowledging people who contributed directly or indirectly is often received well. It is not very difficult for the reader or the person listening to your voice to figure out if the X million-dollar deal was closed by you alone or it was a team effort that you are claiming as your own. This awareness that the audience is not gullible is paramount. While crediting the team for closing a deal or delivering a result, implicitly or explicitly thank the customer/employer for the trust, and the responsibility...

Everything communicates best with a story. And that story should begin with your vision; from there, everything you write about is from "we." You go from how "we" built a team to the product "we" created, to the launch "we" did, the success of go-to-market "we" made happen, to the great sales "we" pulled off, all the way to a remarkable company "we" have built together through "our" hard work. Nothing speaks better about leadership than what you have accomplished as a team, and as an organization, and deflecting all the credit to your team and what "we" accomplished together. That's value, and focusing on it in the "we" of your story will tell of an incredible one that "we" all want to hear more about. I hope this helps.

When communicating one’s accomplishments, one should be generous and polite; otherwise, it may come across as boasting or showing off. One should try to remember that when delivering a success speech, one should use terms such as we or our teams rather than dedicating the success solely to oneself. When one focuses on terms like I for these types of speeches, it may appear demotivating to other members because they will believe that their work is not being acknowledged, and they might stop putting in their efforts, which will ultimately hinder the growth of your organization.

While it is essential to acknowledge your role in your successes, it is equally vital to remain humble and recognise the contributions of others. Expressing gratitude towards team members, mentors, or anyone who guided you paints a fuller picture of your journey and grounds your achievements in a community of support. Mentioning the hurdles you faced and how you overcame them without portraying yourself as a saviour can further demonstrate humility. This approach highlights your achievements and showcases your ability to work well with others and appreciate the value they bring.

> let results speak > avoiding "I" centered narrative > sharing the backstory of challenges overcome or lessons learned on the journey > recognize advantages went through > spotlight how the achievement benefited others vs. me > a tone of gratefulness and grace rather than boastfulness > share achievements to inspire other's development > being transparent about mistakes made or skills still needing development on the path the key is keeping the focus on others' roles, the value created, and opportunities ahead vs. your own glory leading with gratitude, purpose, and humility

Navigating high-stakes environments like the White House Medical Unit, where I had the privilege to serve, taught me that individual achievements are often the result of collective effort. One vivid example from the COVID-19 pandemic era stands out. A lower-ranking team member meticulously sanitized critical areas, indirectly safeguarding some of the nation’s top leaders. Though a seemingly minor task, the implications were enormous. When discussing successes, it’s imperative to highlight the collective nature of achievements. Share credit with team members who contributed to the outcome. Recognize their specific roles, skills, and input. In doing so, you demonstrate an appreciation for the value of collaboration.

Maintaining a balance of words and using more we and us instead of I and me is the best practice here. This will motivate the other members because they will feel that their work is being recognized, and as a result, they will try to put in more effort. This will work in your favor because you will have loyal people who will contribute to the success of your organization or anything in that regard. It is important to remember that appreciation increases dedication and motivation in the workplace.

My perspective from the State Department is to see a healthy balance of "I" and "we." We all know that leaders can't do it all, but if you phrase your statements showing how your contributions improve a team, unit, or office and what those benefits were, that is an excellent way to showcase your achievements. The "we" part comes into play by showing that you delegate and share the wins with your team as a leader and take responsibility when things don't go as expected.

When discussing achievements, it's vital to recognize the contributions of others. Taking sole credit can seem self-centered. Instead, highlight the efforts of team members, mentors, and partners. Express genuine gratitude for their insights and strengths. By doing so, you underscore your role as a collaborative leader who values teamwork and appreciates diverse input. Celebrating collective success fosters respect and promotes a positive work environment.

Not only at one’s workplace but at every place one should always try to be humble and gentle and respecting others. The behavioral patterns and nature of a person reveal a lot about them, and the opinions of others are also influenced by the abovementioned factors. People try to connect with such people because they are humble and gentle. Being boastful or rude reveals a negative aspect of your personality and gives people reason to avoid you. The language and tone you use should also be polite and gentle, this will speak volumes about your character.

People (including your employees) know "humble bragging" when they see it. There's a tipping point where true humility can be perceived as performative. Admitting mistakes made along the way, as this article suggests, is a great way to show vulnerability. That kind of authenticity signals true humility, versus the humble bragging that runs rampant on social media.

All of this advice sits within the context of the culture we live in. "Boastful" is in the eye of the beholder. In US and Europe for instance, there are gender differences when it comes to perceptions of "humility". In my work, I have seen implicit or explicit pressure on women to be "humble". Any healthy expression of accomplishment is reduced to "boasting". I'd encourage us all to take a hard look at why we hold these perceptions and make greater allowances for women and underrepresented groups to vocalize their wins.

Mention external factors broadly. Note market conditions Recognize public events. Credit timing of decisions. Use humble language.

When communicating successes, it's essential to remain honest and grounded. Avoid exaggerations or diminishing others. Instead, candidly share your journey, including mistakes and lessons learned. Admitting challenges demonstrates credibility and shows a commitment to growth. Being genuine in acknowledging both accomplishments and areas for improvement establishes trust and showcases a respectful, growth-oriented mindset.

When discussing achievements, let your genuine passion shine through. Embrace your enthusiasm and don't downplay your accomplishments. Relate personal stories and emotions, illustrating how your work inspires and drives you. By sharing how success has shaped your journey, you come across as authentic with a clear vision, fostering engagement and inspiration without appearing boastful.

Transitioning from the White House Medical Unit to public health leadership was profound. My perspective is fueled by experiences gained while serving during the COVID-19 pandemic. I saw how social determinants drastically affect health, especially among marginalized communities. Today, I bring that real-world knowledge into my leadership ethos, promoting a culture rooted in equity, compassion, and systemic change. From policy-making to team-building, my decisions are colored by an unwavering commitment to improving public health in all sectors of society. These lessons are transferrable to any industry. Leading by example and inspiring teams to see that their work is not just a job but a mission for the greater good is critical.

Passion always shines through especially when accompanied by a story. It makes it real and inspiring to others trying to find their way.

Feedback and dialogue are very culture-specific, both organizationally and personally. For example, elders may not take input from juniors on a new system for fear of losing face or seniority. How the dialogue is initiated is as important as the outcome leaders want from the feedback.

Cultivating a feedback loop is an integral step in taking people on a journey. This journey, in turn, serves as the cornerstone for uniting people around shared ideas, aspirations, and visions. Yet, aspiring to do right and executing it effectively are distinct endeavours. When you seek feedback, it's essential to not only absorb it but also demonstrate how it has driven concrete actions, instigated change, and enriched the experiences of stakeholders and those who contributed their insights. ?? Question with intent, nitiate purposeful inquires.

When discussing accomplishments, foster two-way communication. Instead of merely presenting, invite questions and insights from your audience. Actively listen and show empathy to their feedback. Engage by asking their perspectives on your work and how they might benefit or contribute. This approach showcases your respect for open dialogue, underlining the value you place on connection and mutual success.

Focus on telling the story. Don’t spend too much time trying to figure out what message you want people to get out of the story, but rather about telling a complete and accurate story. Ask people around you (who were either involved in the story or witnessed it) how they might contribute to the story through their own eyes. Sometimes we don’t see the full picture ourselves and it helps to have others contribute to the narration. If you stick to facts and to painting an unbiased picture, there is less room for content that could be misinterpreted as arrogant. Facts are facts. What feels arrogant or boastful is highly subjective and not necessarily for the author to control.

The space of BEING from which you share is the energetic signature that the audience gets. Ensure when you share - you are observant about how you are feeling about it. Share from a space of abundance and humility, always being compassionate and giving credit to all those who supported you in this accomplishment. Also share from a space of inspiring others by your story by keeping it real.

Here are some strategies to communicate your wins without tooting your own horn too loudly :) 1. Storytelling: Instead of saying "I did this", weave a story. Share a journey, challenges and lessons learned. 2. Gratitude: Express thanks! Could be from your team, clients, mentors. 3. Numbers and Facts: Use clear metrics to highlight success. Instead of "we were the best" try "we achieved a 25% increase in X" 4. Seek feedback: Invite others to share their thoughts. This will help show you value collective growth over personal accolades. Stay humble. It's not about shouting the loudest but about resonating the most!

“Confidence is knowing who you are and what you can do. Arrogance is making sure everybody else knows it too.” This is something my grandfather taught me in regards to humility. It kept me from embracing my core value of Ownership for a long time. I’ve noticed two things about people: 1. They are quick to blame others for their failure 2. They are slow to acknowledge their own successes Ownership is the act of owning both. Admit your failures, learn, and make new mistakes. Own your successes, learn, and achieve greatness.

Be a storyteller who shares lessons! For example, "We exceeded $20M ARR after we bootstrapped for 5 years and couldn't afford to pay any rent during the first two. This is how we did it and what we learned during the process." People always appreciate stories, especially if they are filled with hardships they can empathize with.