Someone at a recent conference asked me a great question:
“How do you talk about your achievements on LinkedIn without it sounding like a show-off and you’re ‘humble-bragging’ about yourself?”
I want to share my answer with you because I think this is one that will hit home with a lot of treasury professionals…
Because, let’s face it, most treasurers aren’t exactly queuing up to talk about themselves. You’d rather let the numbers do the talking…
But the reality is that if you don’t tell your story, no one else will.
The myth of the “humble brag”
There’s a common fear that many professionals have – particularly in fields like treasury – about talking positively about their work.
Most imagine any form of self-promotion will automatically come across as boastful, so they don’t do it.
But, like I said, if you don’t talk about it, who will?
So I advocate the opposite…
Now, I don’t mean that you should post a selfie holding your Pinnacle Award or write post after post about how many millions you’ve saved the company.
You need to reframe “bragging” in your mind…
Don’t think of it as showing off. Instead, explain how you added value.
For example…
You implemented a new TMS? Brilliant. But say what it did:
“We automated reporting and freed up three team members to focus on strategy.”
Did you manage a big refinancing? Don’t just write “Completed $1B deal.” Say how it helped strengthen liquidity and reduce risk exposure.
That’s not boasting. That’s doing your job well and communicating value.
Confidence isn’t cockiness
As Catherine Latoya Grant-Alston said on stage at the NY Cash Exchange:
“We have to stop confusing confidence with being cocky.”
You can share what you’ve done without sounding arrogant – it’s all in the tone.
Arrogance says: “I’m amazing.”
Confidence says: “Here’s what worked for us. Maybe it’ll help you too.”
So when I share stats like a million LinkedIn impressions or 400 podcast episodes, I’m not trying to show off. I’m showing what’s possible when you stay consistent and keep showing up.
Emma Hayward’s simple (and brilliant) trick
Emma Hayward, Group Treasurer at Dowlais Group, hates talking about herself online. So she came up with a clever workaround…
Every Friday, she emails herself a quick summary of what she and her team achieved that week.
It sounds simple, but it’s powerful.
When review time rolls around, or the CFO drops by for an update, she’s got a ready-made list of wins. No awkward self-promotion required.
You could do the same:
Keep a running “career log.” Then when you post on LinkedIn, it’ll feel like reporting facts, not bragging.
Your challenge:
The next time you worry about sounding boastful, consider this:
Is it bragging if it’s true?
You’ve earned those results, so don’t bury them.
Now, here’s your challenge for this week:
- Share ONE real update about a project or win.
- Tag a teammate or partner who helped make it happen.
- Keep it short, conversational, and authentic.
It’ll build visibility, confidence, and credibility – and that’s how careers grow.
Best regards,
Mike
P.S. If this resonated with you, have a listen to my session on Networking & Personal Branding from the NY Cash Exchange with Catherine Latoya Grant-Alston. It’s packed with real stories, advice, and a few laughs along the way.
Click HERE to listen
