--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: People, to maintain their self-esteem…" description: "\"People, to maintain their self-esteem, tend to believe they are above average on all positive qualities - height, income, intelligence, sense of humor,..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/317/jeffrey-pfeffer-8575_ability_people-to-maintain-their-self-esteem-ten_1963553.jpg" --- # People, to maintain their self-esteem, tend to believe… ![“People, to maintain their self-esteem, tend to believe they are above average on all positive qualities - height, income, intelligence, sense of humor, negotiating ability, you name it. The problem is that if we are going to really build our skills, we need to know which skills are most deficient…” quote by Jeffrey Pfeffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/317/jeffrey-pfeffer-8575_ability_people-to-maintain-their-self-esteem-ten_1963553.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/317/jeffrey-pfeffer-8575_ability_people-to-maintain-their-self-esteem-ten_1963553.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/317/jeffrey-pfeffer-8575_ability_people-to-maintain-their-self-esteem-ten_1963553.jpg) > “People, to maintain their self-esteem, tend to believe they are above average on all positive qualities - height, income, intelligence, sense of humor, negotiating ability, you name it. The problem is that if we are going to really build our skills, we need to know which skills are most deficient. So, I advise people to find confidantes to tell them the truth. And then act on that knowledge to build the abilities they need to be more successful.” [Jeffrey Pfeffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-pfeffer/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. People overestimate their abilities; honest feedback reveals gaps, enabling targeted skill development. **In simple terms:** Know your true strengths and weaknesses. Key Takeaway Seek truthful feedback. Themes self‑awareness growth mindset skill development Mood reflective constructive Type self‑improvement leadership When to use this quote - performance reviews - mentorship - personal coaching - career planning Key Concepts cognitive bias feedback loops Questions to Reflect On - Who can you trust to give you candid feedback? - How will you act on the feedback you receive? A Different Perspective Feedback may be harsh and demotivating. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Ability](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ability/) [Humor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humor/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Problem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/problem/) [Qualities](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/qualities/) [Quality](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/quality/) [Self esteem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self-esteem/) [Sense of humor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sense-of-humor/) [Successful](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/successful/) ## Related quotes > [To focus on our weaknesses is a way through which we can overcome them and turn them into positive qualities.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/senora-roy/to-focus-on-our-weaknesses-is-a-way-through-which-we-can-overcome/) [Senora Roy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/senora-roy/) > [We succeed in enterprises which demand the positive qualities we possess, but we excel in those which can also make use of our defects.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexis-de-tocqueville/we-succeed-in-enterprises-which-demand-the-positive-qualities-we/) [Alexis de Tocqueville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexis-de-tocqueville/) > [The good news - and it is largely good news - is that everyone has a chance to stand out. Everyone has a chance…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-peters/the-good-news-and-it-is-largely-good-news-is-that-everyone-has-a/) [Tom Peters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-peters/) > [Everyone has a chance to learn, improve, and build up their skills.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-peters/everyone-has-a-chance-to-learn-improve-and-build-up-their-skills/) [Tom Peters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-peters/) > [Build your skills not your resume.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheryl-sandberg/build-your-skills-not-your-resume/) [Sheryl Sandberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheryl-sandberg/) > [If a person has enough desire, he will acquire the talent, he will build his skills.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bobby-unser/if-a-person-has-enough-desire-he-will-acquire-the-talent-he-will/) [Bobby Unser](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bobby-unser/) > [Public television works hard to engage young learners and build the skills needed for a jump-start on life. We need our youngest to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stanley-a-mcchrystal/public-television-works-hard-to-engage-young-learners-and-build-the/) [Stanley A. McChrystal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stanley-a-mcchrystal/) > [I think what I can do is to focus more on what I'm good at and see if I can improve on these positive…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lee-seung-gi/i-think-what-i-can-do-is-to-focus-more-on-what-i-m-good-at-and-see-if/) [Lee Seung-gi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lee-seung-gi/) > [Just as a seed grows with the warmth of the sun, so our positive qualities grow when we put our attention on them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arielle-ford/just-as-a-seed-grows-with-the-warmth-of-the-sun-so-our-positive/) [Arielle Ford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arielle-ford/) > [Persons are judged to be great because of the positive qualities they possess, not because of the absence of faults.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/persons-are-judged-to-be-great-because-of-the-positive-qualities-they/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Green strongly influences the heart and helps alleviate tension. Positive qualities associated with green are generosity, humility, and cooperation. Foods of the green vibration…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tae-yun-kim/green-strongly-influences-the-heart-and-helps-alleviate-tension/) [Tae Yun Kim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tae-yun-kim/) > [Only by our positive thinking, by our bringing the positive qualities of others to the fore, will this world be able to make progress.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sri-chinmoy/only-by-our-positive-thinking-by-our-bringing-the-positive-qualities/) [Sri Chinmoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sri-chinmoy/) > [“Through meditation we can train our minds in such a way that negative qualities are abandoned and positive qualities are generated and enhanced.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama-xiv/through-meditation-we-can-train-our-minds-in-such-a-way-that-negative/) [Dalai Lama XIV](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama-xiv/) > [“identify the negative qualities that you find most bothersome in the people around you and start acting toward these people as though they’re exhibiting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-goulston/identify-the-negative-qualities-that-you-find-most-bothersome-in-the/) [Mark Goulston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-goulston/) > [Navratri represents how the negativity can be conquered by the inherent positive qualities in us.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sri-sri-ravi-shankar/navratri-represents-how-the-negativity-can-be-conquered-by-the/) [Sri Sri Ravi Shankar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sri-sri-ravi-shankar/) ## More by Jeffrey Pfeffer > [Trust is about keeping commitments, but in many instances, circumstances change and organizations therefore shed commitments, things such as retiree medical benefits, pension obligations,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-pfeffer/trust-is-about-keeping-commitments-but-in-many-instances/) [Jeffrey Pfeffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-pfeffer/) > [Business school graduates from the best schools earn large salaries and frequently rise to positions of great power. It would be nice if they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-pfeffer/business-school-graduates-from-the-best-schools-earn-large-salaries/) [Jeffrey Pfeffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-pfeffer/) > [The individual attributes of warmth and competence are often perceived to be negatively correlated. That doesn't mean they actually are, but that's how people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-pfeffer/the-individual-attributes-of-warmth-and-competence-are-often/) [Jeffrey Pfeffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-pfeffer/) > [Today, if the CEO thinks it's a good idea, it's done everywhere; if the CEO thinks it's a bad idea, it's done nowhere. We…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-pfeffer/today-if-the-ceo-thinks-it-s-a-good-idea-it-s-done-everywhere-if-the/) [Jeffrey Pfeffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-pfeffer/) > [Almost no one as I think most leadership books are a joke. They are, as I note in Leadership BS, frequently based on wishes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-pfeffer/almost-no-one-as-i-think-most-leadership-books-are-a-joke-they-are-as/) [Jeffrey Pfeffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-pfeffer/) > [Authenticity seems like sort of a joke. Actually I believe it was the late comedian George Burns who said, "if you can fake sincerity,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-pfeffer/authenticity-seems-like-sort-of-a-joke-actually-i-believe-it-was-the/) [Jeffrey Pfeffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-pfeffer/) > [Everyone faces defeats, setbacks, reversals of fortune. But just like water wearing away rock, persistence triumphs. Resilience is one of the most important qualities…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-pfeffer/everyone-faces-defeats-setbacks-reversals-of-fortune-but-just-like/) [Jeffrey Pfeffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-pfeffer/) > [Many companies believe incentives, financial incentives, are the answer to every problem or issue. But people are motivated by much more than money. In…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-pfeffer/many-companies-believe-incentives-financial-incentives-are-the-answer/) [Jeffrey Pfeffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-pfeffer/) > [Leaders are not modest, and more importantly, the extensive social science research on narcissism, self-promotion, and similar constructs shows that these qualities and behaviors…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-pfeffer/leaders-are-not-modest-and-more-importantly-the-extensive-social/) [Jeffrey Pfeffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-pfeffer/) > [“When two people always agree, one of them is unnecessary.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-pfeffer/when-two-people-always-agree-one-of-them-is-unnecessary/) [Jeffrey Pfeffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-pfeffer/) > [I completely reject the idea that working adults need to be treated like infants or worse and not told the realities, harsh or not,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-pfeffer/i-completely-reject-the-idea-that-working-adults-need-to-be-treated/) [Jeffrey Pfeffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-pfeffer/) > [The stories leaders and others tell, few of which are true, are a lousy foundation on which to base any sort of science, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-pfeffer/the-stories-leaders-and-others-tell-few-of-which-are-true-are-a-lousy/) [Jeffrey Pfeffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-pfeffer/) > [Being memorable equals getting picked.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-pfeffer/being-memorable-equals-getting-picked/) [Jeffrey Pfeffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-pfeffer/) > [“(like the BMW mechanic who handed Robert Sutton a survey and pleaded for a five on a five-point scale, because otherwise he would get…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-pfeffer/like-the-bmw-mechanic-who-handed-robert-sutton-a-survey-and-pleaded/) [Jeffrey Pfeffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-pfeffer/) > [Typical pay increases are not enough to motivate employees, but they are enough to irritate them. … Even when companies create seemingly significant pay…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-pfeffer/typical-pay-increases-are-not-enough-to-motivate-employees-but-they/) [Jeffrey Pfeffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-pfeffer/) [Explore all 78 Jeffrey Pfeffer quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-pfeffer/) ## More Ability quotes > [I don't think there's a direct correlation between my sexuality and my skiing ability. But I think because I was so concerned about it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gus-kenworthy/i-don-t-think-there-s-a-direct-correlation-between-my-sexuality-and/) [Gus Kenworthy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gus-kenworthy/) > [“the importance of ability. The things that make a great job great, I discovered, are rare and valuable. If you want them in your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cal-newport/the-importance-of-ability-the-things-that-make-a-great-job-great-i/) [Cal Newport](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cal-newport/) > [Ambition drives you on, ability certainly helps, but the fickle finger of fate and luck are great things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fergus-henderson/ambition-drives-you-on-ability-certainly-helps-but-the-fickle-finger/) [Fergus Henderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fergus-henderson/) > [The ability of the gospel to unite us on common strengths and common truths is one of the great miracles . . . of the gospel.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-r-holland/the-ability-of-the-gospel-to-unite-us-on-common-strengths-and-common/) [Jeffrey R. Holland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-r-holland/) > [Maybe law enforcement would like the ability to turn on the camera on your Mac.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-cook/maybe-law-enforcement-would-like-the-ability-to-turn-on-the-camera-on/) [Tim Cook](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-cook/) > [I've seen guys come along with more ability - they've been faster or bigger or stronger - but they never worked hard to develop…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-largent/i-ve-seen-guys-come-along-with-more-ability-they-ve-been-faster-or/) [Steve Largent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-largent/) > [The youth of India has the strength to move the entire World with a click of a mouse, we have generated that ability!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/narendra-modi/the-youth-of-india-has-the-strength-to-move-the-entire-world-with-a/) [Narendra Modi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/narendra-modi/) > [Time hath not yet so dried this blood of mine, Nor age so eat up my invention, Nor fortune made such havoc of my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/time-hath-not-yet-so-dried-this-blood-of-mine-nor-age-so-eat-up-my/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [An absolutely necessary part of a writer's equipment, almost as necessary as talent, is the ability to stand up under punishment, both the punishment…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/irwin-shaw/an-absolutely-necessary-part-of-a-writer-s-equipment-almost-as/) [Irwin Shaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/irwin-shaw/) > [I'd be more frightened by not using whatever abilities I'd been given. I'd be more frightened by procrastination and laziness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denzel-washington/i-d-be-more-frightened-by-not-using-whatever-abilities-i-d-been-given/) [Denzel Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denzel-washington/) > [Bring into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ. Take what I cannot give: my heart, body, thoughts, time, abilities, money, health, strength,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-prentiss/bring-into-captivity-every-thought-to-the-obedience-of-christ-take/) [Elizabeth Prentiss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-prentiss/) > [You can only do the work to the very best of your ability.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christine-baranski/you-can-only-do-the-work-to-the-very-best-of-your-ability/) [Christine Baranski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christine-baranski/) > [Judge a person not by his ability to make money but by his ability to retain it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vikrant-parsai/judge-a-person-not-by-his-ability-to-make-money-but-by-his-ability-to/) [Vikrant Parsai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vikrant-parsai/) > [Balance is the ability to be happy in the midst of the most chaotic or even boring or transient circumstance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/balance-is-the-ability-to-be-happy-in-the-midst-of-the-most-chaotic/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [Bobby had faith in my ability as a singer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julie-london/bobby-had-faith-in-my-ability-as-a-singer/) [Julie London](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julie-london/) [Browse all 9,990 Ability quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ability/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "People, to maintain their self-esteem, tend to believe they are above average on all positive qualities - height, income, intelligence, sense of humor, negotiating ability, you name it. 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