The Battle to Self Promote

In families, the workplace, and almost any organizational, school or social gathering, a battle often takes place between certain individuals.

It is the battle to be noticed, to be at the fore, to be the expert (or perceived as such). 

It is the battle not just to be esteemed, but to be esteemed more than the next person. It is the battle to be the one well-spoken of, to be the most impressive.

It is the battle to self-promote.

The weapons of this battle are those of one-upping, grandstanding, stealing someone’s thunder, glib sarcasm in response to another person’s good fortune or turn of events, attempts to make others jealous by promenading being favored (or the attempts to attain favor), and talking loudly so that all within earshot can overhear their plans and good deeds.

These weapons are so common that we hardly notice them for what they are: the tactical manipulations of self-presentation to garner praise and affirmation; to win influence and high regard. 

Those around these types, feeling threatened by this behavior—not to mention overlooked and out-done—may intentionally or unintentionally take the bait and join the battle so that they, too, can defend themselves as being worthy. They enter the fray welding the same self-promotional armaments. 

This sparring to be important, or to be at least as important as the next person, is a pattern repeated over and over again because those in the battle never solve the insecurity within. 

If, however, we are fortunate, we will finally arrive at discernment for these types of showdowns and quickly take our leave of them, avoiding them altogether in the future. 

We will, in the wisdom of the budding maturity in Christ which is addressing our inner insecurities, pray and intend to never take up the weaponry of self-promotional grandstanding again. 

Copyright Barb Harwood