How to Be Proud, Not Cocky and Conceited

Last Updated: January 21, 2023 References

There is a dreadfully thin line between pride and conceitedness. If you have been accused of being cocky, or you’re worried about how you come off to others, you may want to reel in your behavior a bit. Having a sense of pride can boost your self-esteem and make you appear more attractive to others—as long as you don’t take it too far. Learn how to be proud without coming off as cocky or conceited by exhibiting confidence appropriately, acting with integrity, and learning how to be more humble.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Showing the Right Amount of Confidence

1
Account for what's on the inside. Confidence does not come from a specific look, brand, or attitude. Confidence is natural and should come from inside you. When you fake confidence, it can come off as conceited, especially if you think your purchases or style are your primary value. Take a look at what you have to offer as a person, and build confidence from there.^{[1]
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Walk with confidence. Pride is just another way of saying you have high self-worth. There’s no better way to display this than your walk. You come across as insecure when you walk with your shoulders slumped and your face turned towards the ground beneath you. Instead, pull your shoulders back, lift your chin, and walk with your head held high.^{[2]
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- For extra points, smile at everyone you meet. Doing so helps you show confidence while still being friendly and approachable.
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3
Dress well. How you dress sends a message to the outside world about how you want to be perceived. Everyone has their own individual style, of course. Whether you enjoy dressing in business suits or tattered jeans, you can make it your business to wear clothes that are clean and well-fitting.
- When you shop, go for quality over quantity. You may be able to splurge on only one dress, but if it is of high-quality it may last far longer than cheaper pieces. No need to wear flashy logos or accessories.^{[3]
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- Dressing extends to your hygiene, too. Keep your hair cut and styled. Manicure, or at the very least, clip your nails regularly. Find a signature scent that speaks to you and wear it often.
4
Focus on your character strengths versus superficial traits. Cocky people often boast about superficial aspects of their lives like money, clothes, cars, or dates. To demonstrate pride without arrogance, highlight your meaningful strengths.^{[4]
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- Think about what makes you a great person beyond those superficial things. Maybe you’re a great listener, an excellent problem-solver, or super creative.
- Make a list of your positive traits and accomplishments. Review it regularly to feel pride about yourself.
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Improve your speaking skills. There’s hardly a better way to feel pride about yourself than being an effective communicator. Effective communicators understand how to carefully balance speaking and listening so that they do not dominate conversations. Here are a few tips to be a more effective communicator.
- Have open body language. Leave your arms and legs uncrossed and relaxed at your sides.
- Remove any distractions when you’re communicating such as cell phones or televisions.
- Make regular eye contact. Smile, nod, or gesture as appropriate.^{[5]
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- Don’t interrupt—wait until the speaker is finished before replying.
- Remember that part of being a good speaker is being a good listener. Allow others to engage you or an audience without cutting them off or ignoring them.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Being a Person of Integrity

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Acknowledge your accomplishments, but be human, too. You come off as doubting yourself when you undermine your accomplishments or speak negatively about yourself. When you speak well of yourself you seem prideful, but you have to navigate this part carefully to prevent coming off as conceited. Be humble but genuine, and others will take note.
- Rather than self-deprecate yourself to make others like you, be willing to show your human side. Share stories about struggles or mistakes to let others know that you are a work in progress, just like they are.
- For example, a coworker tells you “You can’t relate to my situation. You’ve never had a negative performance review.” Respond with “That’s not true. When I first started here, it took me several months to get the hang of things. Our supervisor was actually thinking about letting me go. I guess I just never shared that with anyone.”^{[6]
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Be punctual and reliable. Cocky people often behave like the world revolves around them. They may show up late and shove their responsibilities onto the laps of others because they think the work is beneath them. Exhibit pride in yourself by being the opposite—show up early (or on time) to commitments and be consistent in your efforts.^{[7]
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Admit when you’re wrong. If you’re ever running late or default on a promise, apologize and try to rectify the situation. Cocky people just go on with their lives, with little to no concern for other’s feelings. Apologizing shows empathy and lets people see your flawed, human side.^{[8]
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- If you’re late for a meeting, you might say, “Hey, everyone, I just wanted to apologize for my tardiness. I know each of you have things to do, so I’m sorry to keep you waiting. I’ll make sure that doesn’t happen again.”
4
Avoid bad-mouthing others. Gossiping makes you look insecure and jealous. To show pride in yourself, never engage in belittling others or sharing their secrets and scandals. Conduct yourself with integrity by keeping most of your language positive about others, particularly if they are not present to defend themselves.^{[9]
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- If you find yourself in the midst of gossip, leave the environment or try to change the subject.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Demonstrating Humility

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Avoid criticizing others. Confident people don't feel the need to criticize others to make themselves look better. When trying to correct someone or help them out, be sure to provide constructive criticism.^{[10]
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- Praise others for what they did right, and when necessary, offer feedback about the topic you're addressing rather than about them as a person.
2
Focus on others in conversation. Arrogance is often indicated by a tendency to hog the attention. Cocky and conceited people may dominate conversations discussing their own achievements. A person with the right degree of pride understands that you become more likeable when you share the spotlight in conversation. People like to talk about themselves, so be generous and give them the opportunity.
- When you find yourself talking about your own achievements, subtly redirect the topic back to the other person. You might say, “Enough about me. Please do share with me how you managed to get that project in a week before deadline. That was unprecedented!”^{[11]
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Applaud other’s successes. Boastful people want to dwell on their own talents while minimizing others’. Counteract that tendency by uplifting others when they do well. Friends, family, and coworkers will all view you more favorably when you praise them for their successes. It shows that you can see the best in others without feeling threatened.^{[12]
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- Prevent coming off as smug or jealous by being there to pat others on the back. You don’t have to exaggerate it, but do make a point to extend your well-wishes to someone who excels. Take them out to lunch. Buy them a drink. Or, brag on them a little to others.
4
Be willing to share the credit. Cocky people generally have the big-head syndrome, which makes them unable to see pass their own awesomeness. People with pride are willing to share positive attention, especially when it’s deserved. Don’t take all the applause when you are celebrated for a team effort. Mention the efforts of those who helped, too.^{[13]
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- You might say, “I am truly pleased that you all liked the film, but many people were involved in this project with me. I’d like to give a round of applause to each of them also.” Then, call out their names to give them a moment in the spotlight, too.
5
Help others without asking for anything in return. Favors from conceited people often are bestowed at a price. These people may not choose to do anything nice for others without expecting something in return. A humble person extends a helping hand to those in need without questioning what they’ll get for it.
- If a friend is in trouble, come to their rescue without hoping for credit or compensation. Say, “If you need me, let me know. I’m here for you.”
- Another great way to humbly help others is through volunteerism. Find a cause you like and reach out to help those in need. Examples might include building homes for the needy or reading to kids at your local library.^{[14]
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Expert Q&A

Question

How do I know whether I am humble?

Paul Chernyak, LPC
Licensed Professional Counselor
Paul Chernyak is a Licensed Professional Counselor in Chicago. He graduated from the American School of Professional Psychology in 2011.

Paul Chernyak, LPC

Licensed Professional Counselor

Expert Answer

If you notice yourself going out of your way to prove something to others rather than to yourself, then this is a sign that you are not being humble.