Buzz
It can be challenging when you want to highlight your abilities, but you don't want to come across as arrogant. By sharing stories that showcase your expertise, you can show what you're capable of without appearing boastful.
No one enjoys the person who constantly throws out grand statements about themselves. They can seem self-centered, and it becomes hard to tell if they're being truthful. Dorie Clark at the Harvard Business Review recommends that telling a good story is a better approach:
...show your expertise through storytelling
, not declarations. Saying "I'm excellent at pitching investors" sounds somewhat conceited. But sharing a captivating story about how you secured seed funding allows others to infer your skill without explicitly stating it.
Stories are far more captivating and engaging, unlike the monotonous list of skills and qualifications. Sure, you want to demonstrate your competence and impress them, but the goal is to make them truly understand why you're exceptional, not just take your word for it. If you're an expert, don't just tell them—show them.
Photograph by Erich Ferdinand.
