Neill Dunwoody is a passionate professional who thrives on innovation and collaboration. He is the founder of Spryt, Chief Talent Strategist, and Head of Ireland with Tribes.
Have you ever been told you’re "full of yourself"? If so, congratulations! You’ve already achieved what many people struggle with: having enough self-belief to make a splash in the world.
Now, before you go inflating your ego to the size of a hot air balloon, let’s clarify: being full of yourself is not the same as being an insufferable narcissist. Nobody likes the person who makes every conversation about themself (“Yeah, that reminds me of the time I won a gold medal in, well, everything.”). But a little self-adoration? That’s a different story.
Matthew McConaughey gets it
Recently, I stumbled across something Matthew McConaughey said about being "full of yourself." And let’s be honest: if there’s one man on Earth who has mastered the art of confidence without being obnoxious, it’s alright, alright, alright himself.
Too often, society treats ego like it’s a dangerous animal that needs to be tranquilized. We’re told to be humble, to downplay our achievements, and to avoid looking too confident because, heaven forbid, someone might find us intimidating. But here’s the kicker: how are you supposed to accomplish anything great if you don’t even believe in yourself?
Ego: The good, the bad, and the cringe-worthy
Let’s break it down.
Bad ego: The guy who corrects you on everything, even when he’s wrong. The one who interrupts conversations just to remind everyone how successful he is. The person who claps when the plane lands.
Good ego: The kind that fuels confidence, ambition, and the willingness to take risks. The type that allows you to walk into a room knowing you belong there not because you're better than everyone but because you believe in yourself.
When you channel your ego correctly, it becomes rocket fuel for your dreams. It’s what helps you apply for that job you feel underqualified for, launch that business, or finally send that risky-but-maybe-genius tweet.
How to be confident without becoming a tool
So, how do you strike the balance between being self-assured and, well, unbearable?
Here’s the trick:
Believe in yourself, but don’t make others feel small. Confidence is magnetic; arrogance is repellent. Be someone who inspires, not someone who sucks all the oxygen out of the room.
Stay self-aware. If you find yourself talking at people instead of with them, it might be time for a humility check.
Keep learning. Truly confident people don’t need to pretend they know everything—they’re comfortable admitting when they don’t. (And, shockingly, this makes people respect you more.)4. Lift others up. The best leaders aren’t just full of themselves; they help fill other people’s cups, too.
Fill your cup the right way
At the end of the day, the world is full of people waiting for permission to believe in themselves. Don’t be one of them. Be full of yourself in the best way possible.
Just make sure you’re filling your cup with confidence, resilience, and a sense of humor, not hot air.
Now, go forth and be your full, fabulous self. And if anyone tells you you’re too confident? Smile, nod, and remind them that their opinion, while noted, is not on your itinerary for the day.
Read more from Neill Dunwoody
Neill Dunwoody, Founder and Talent Strategist
As the co-founder and COO of Spryt and Chief Talent Strategist and Director at Tribes, I lead two disruptive startups transforming healthcare and tech talent and digital transformation. Spryt's AI receptionist, ASA, reduces patient no-shows by offering 24/7 appointment management via messaging platforms like WhatsApp, increasing patient engagement by 160%. Tribes connect businesses with prequalified tech talent and run an award-winning digital studio. I also advise Manna, Prommt, and HR Duo, working on cutting-edge drone delivery, payments, and AI-driven HR solutions. A HIMSS Pitchfest winner, I use my 812k TikTok and 426k Instagram followers to advocate for innovation. My focus remains on building companies that solve real problems.
