Stop Saying You're a "Leader": Use Social Proof Instead

## The "Self-Praise" Paradox There is a fundamental weakness in most executive CVs: **Self-Praise**. You say: "I am a collaborative team player." The Recruiter thinks: "Of course you'd say that." This is the paradox. The more you claim a soft skill, the less credible it sounds. Self-assessment is inherently suspect. ## The Fix: Outsourced Credibility The strongest way to prove a "Soft Skill" (like leadership, empathy, or collaboration) is to let **someone else say it for you**. This is where your LinkedIn Recommendations become gold. A third-party endorsement carries weight. It's evidence, not assertion. ## The "Snippet" Technique Do not copy the full paragraph. It consumes too much space. Instead, extract the **"Power Clause"**—the single sentence that captures the essence. **Before (Too Long):** > "Gary was a great manager who always listened to us and helped us grow professionally. He made time for everyone on the team and created a really positive environment..." **After (The Power Clause):** > "Gary is the rare manager who listens more than he speaks." – Jane D., Senior Analyst Same sentiment. Fraction of the space. Maximum impact. ## The Rule of Thumb Use these snippets to back up your claims. If your Summary says you drive revenue, include a snippet from a CEO confirming it. If you claim to be a culture builder, let a direct report testify. **Claim + Proof = Credibility** Your CV makes assertions. Social proof makes them believable. --- *For more on executive writing strategy, explore our [Writing & Content](/writing-and-content) insights.*