When I took a picture of my parents’ diplomas and asked LinkedIn members how to balance humility with self-promotion, I had no idea that over seven and a half million people would view my post:
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I had just asked my parents why they never hung up their Harvard diplomas until after they retired. My dad shrugged.
My mom said, “I always thought if you have to tell people you’re smart, then you’re not.”
That conversation, and the comments that followed, made me think about a bigger question: How do we balance humility with the need to share our value? It also made me think about the physicians I coach. They sometimes face a tricky balance between staying humble and making sure people understand their expertise.
For example, one physician I coached worked in a rural hospital where staff or patients sometimes misperceived her role, occasionally asking her to clean or bring food. To clarify her professional background, she sometimes wore a Yale School of Medicine–branded jacket or mentioned her training when sharing her experience. Some colleagues suggested she stop bragging, but she wasn’t being self-promoting. She was just signaling her credentials.
That example connects to a bigger question: Should physicians display diplomas or highlight their training? There’s no requirement to do so. Some choose to hang degrees to build credibility, promote transparency, or simply celebrate an important achievement. Diplomas can even serve as conversation starters, especially if a patient has a connection to the same school.
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Other physicians choose not to display diplomas. The information is usually available online, and patients can ask if they’re curious. Some feel it could come across as an “ego wall,” while others prefer to use office space for personal photos, art, or other décor. There’s no single right approach. It’s all about context, personal preference, and sometimes even taking a little humble pie when figuring out what feels right.
These situations show how nuanced sharing credentials can be. It’s not about bragging or false humility. It’s about making sure your training and expertise are clear when it matters, while staying approachable and grounded.
So here’s the question I keep coming back to, for the physicians I coach and for myself:
How do you stay humble while still promoting your value? Is it possible to do both?
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Diplomas can even serve as conversation starters, especially if a patient has a connection to the same school.
