by Gilda Bonanno LLC
When I was facilitating a networking for a professional association, someone asked me, “how can I network effectively without feeling like I’m showcasing myself?”
If you’re worried about networking feeling like self-promotion, you’re not alone. But I want to reframe the mindset: showcasing your skills isn’t bragging - it’s sharing your value.
Own Your Achievements with Confidence
Many of us are taught that self-promotion is boastful or arrogant, but think about it this way: Would Simone Biles say, “I’m kind of an okay gymnast,” or Roger Federer say, “I’m kind of good at tennis, but I don’t really want to brag”?
Sharing your accomplishments isn’t about proving you’re better than others - it’s about recognizing your own expertise and contributions and then focusing on how you can use them to provide value and help to others.
Find the Right Balance
You don’t have to list every achievement or constantly talk about yourself. Instead, use neutral, fact-based statements that highlight your experience without sounding boastful:
- “I specialize in [area of expertise].”
- “Over my career, I’ve had the opportunity to work in various organizations such as...”
- “I’ve written several papers on this topic and contributed to multiple publications.”
These statements communicate your credibility without feeling like self-promotion.
Let Others Speak for You
A great way to showcase your strengths without feeling uncomfortable is to surround yourself with people who advocate for you. Bring a networking buddy to the event, someone who can naturally highlight your skills when you’re meeting people. Sometimes, a simple, “Oh, you should talk to [your name] about this - she’s an expert in the field!” from a friend can make all the difference.
Shift the Focus to Connection
Instead of thinking of networking as showcasing yourself, think of it as sharing value and building relationships. Approach conversations with curiosity, ask thoughtful questions and look for ways to offer help. When you focus on mutual exchange rather than self-promotion, networking feels more natural and rewarding.
Bottom line: You don’t need to “sell” yourself to network effectively, nor should you downplay what you’re good at.
Simply own your expertise, share your value in a genuine way and surround yourself with people who lift you up. Confidence is not arrogance - it’s recognizing and embracing your strengths.
© Gilda Bonanno LLC - Gilda Bonanno serves as a trusted advisor to executives and entrepreneurs to transform their communication, presentation and leadership skills. She has worked with companies on 4 continents, from Chicago to Shanghai and Rio to Rome. The instructional videos on her YouTube channel have received over 1.5 million views and her e-newsletter has reached subscribers in over 45 countries since 2008. For other articles or to receive Gilda's e-newsletter, visit www.gildabonanno.com