Aussies and Kiwis typically don’t like people who brag and self promote. However, recent research reported in INSEAD Knowledge online [CLICK HERE TO READ] and involving about 2,600 participants in the United States, United Kingdom, and Singapore suggests there are times when bragging could be a positive thing. Given how reserved the UK and Singaporean participants would typically be the results may will hold true for Australia and New Zealand.
The research found that talking about your accomplishments at work can have different effects depending on whether you're the boss or a colleague. When bosses share their successes, it often motivates their team to work harder. This is because employees see their bosses as role models who have earned their success, and they view it as a guide for their own success.
However, when coworkers boast about their achievements, it can be annoying and make others feel insecure. People wonder why they haven't achieved the same success and may feel threatened. The research also found that when coworkers bragged in a way similar to bosses, it didn't inspire others. Instead, it made them seem arrogant.
The key to effective self-promotion is having a respected role model share achievements that others can realistically aim for. The person's status and how relevant the success is to others' work play a big role. Success should be linked to things people can control, like hard work, rather than things beyond their control. The study didn't find any big differences based on gender or race.
In simple terms, if you're a leader, sharing your positive achievements with your team can motivate them. But it's important to talk about things that your team can actually achieve, and not to brag too much. This might encourage your team to go after their own goals.