Speaking of Psychology Why humblebragging is never a good idea, with Övül Sezer, PhD
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Nov 5, 2025 Övül Sezer, PhD, an Assistant Professor at Cornell's S.C. Johnson School of Business, unpacks the pitfalls of humblebragging and impression mismanagement. She highlights how such tactics often come off as insincere and can hinder genuine connection. Sezer also discusses the risks of downplaying achievements, how cultural norms influence self-promotion, and the evolving standards on social media. With a dash of humor from her stand-up experience, she offers insights on effective self-presentation strategies that balance being liked and respected.
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When Trying To Impress Backfires
- Impression mismanagement happens when our strategies to look good backfire and undermine us.
- Övül Sezer says these are common because our intuitions about bragging and modesty often mislead us.
Don't Humblebrag
- Avoid humblebragging because it feels insincere and often triggers stronger backlash than direct bragging.
- Frame accomplishments authentically rather than masking them with complaints or false humility.
Silence Can Hurt Relationships
- Staying silent about achievements can also backfire by offending close others who expect to be included.
- People may interpret hiding success as social miscalibration or distrust in others' reactions.