How to Hype Yourself Without Feeling Like a Fraud

You crushed that presentation. The client signed. But when the spotlight hits you, your instinct is to shrink.

Sound familiar?

If the thought of saying, "I did a great job on that project" makes you sweat… you’re not alone. For generations, women have been conditioned to stay small. Be humble. Don’t brag. Let your work speak for itself.

Here’s the deal: Your brilliance doesn't talk for you, you have to name it and claim it. Otherwise, someone else will take the credit and and eventually the promotion.

So what happens when you’re too uncomfortable to talk about yourself? You start by shining light on others.

This isn’t about becoming someone you’re not. It’s about building a muscle: weak at first, powerful with practice. And no, you don’t have to fake it, you just need to flex it.

If advocating for yourself feels like a leap, start with the easier step: lifting up the women around you. When you publicly applaud someone’s leadership or creativity, you’re modeling confidence. 

It feels good. It builds momentum. And soon, hyping yourself will feel just as natural.

Start by Building Others Up While Taking Credit

Let’s borrow a page from Brooke, an Unabashed team member and a first-gen college grad, HR pro and lawyer who mastered the art of owning her voice.

Here’s how she recommends getting started:

1. Recognize Team Wins AND Own Your Role. Stop hiding behind "It was a group effort!"

Try this:

• "I'm proud that my research helped the team identify a winning strategy."

• "I led the presentation that landed our biggest contract this quarter."

You’re giving kudos without ghosting your own contribution. You had a hand in the win. Name it. Claim it.

2. Celebrate the Impact of Your Leadership. Leadership isn’t about titles. it’s about how you show up.

Try language like:

• "I streamlined our approval process, cutting timelines in half."

• "We delivered early and under budget because I thrive under pressure."

These are facts. Just say it and let it breathe.

3. Give—and Accept—Compliments. Stop dodging compliments like they’re grenades.

Instead of: "Oh it was nothing... the team did all the work."

Try:

• "That’s nice of you to say. Thank you."

• "I really appreciate that feedback."

• "Thanks for noticing. I put a lot into that project."

You wouldn’t downplay a colleague’s work, so don’t do it to yourself.

Still Not Sold on Self-Promoting? Start by modeling it. Praise a colleague. Hype her up in a meeting or on LinkedIn. Do your part in building a culture where wins are celebrated, then take your seat in that spotlight.

Ready to own your spotlight? Practice being Unabashed by:

• Publicly praising a colleague’s win (on LinkedIn, Slack or in a meeting)

• Accepting the next compliment you get without deflecting

• Sharing one of your own wins, big and small

The more you normalize giving credit where it’s due, the less awkward it’ll feel to take credit when the next big win is yours.