Disliked Quote by Sheryl Sandberg
““In order to protect ourselves from being disliked, we question our abilities and downplay our achievements, especially in the presence of others. We put ourselves down before others can.””
About This Quote
Source Interview: Lean In, 2013
People often downplay themselves to avoid rejection, which undermines confidence and authentic self‑presentation.
In simple terms: Fear of dislike leads to self‑deprecation.
Key Takeaway
Own your achievements confidently.
Themes
self‑esteem
social anxiety
authenticity
Mood
motivational
reflective
Type
self‑help
leadership
When to use this quote
- job interviews
- team meetings
- networking events
- performance reviews
Key Concepts
psychology
career development
gender dynamics
Questions to Reflect On
- What would happen if you fully acknowledged your strengths?
- How can you balance humility with confidence?
A Different Perspective
It can overlook cultural contexts where humility is valued.
![“[Eric Schmidt] explained that only one criterion that mattered when picking a job- fat growth. When companies grow quickly, there are more things to do than there are people to do them. When companies grow more slowly or stop growing, there is less to do and too many people to not be doing them…” quote by Sheryl Sandberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/23b/sheryl-sandberg-439_feminism_eric-schmidt-explained-that-only-one-cri_16526.jpg)
