What You Say About Yourself is Good – But What Others Say About You is Better

We all know how important it is to communicate our strengths, experience and value clearly. Whether it’s in a CV, on LinkedIn or in a professional bio, we spend time crafting the right words to showcase who we are.

But here’s the truth: no matter how polished your messaging is, it’s still you talking about you. And while that’s important, it only goes so far.

If you really want to build trust and credibility in a competitive marketplace, third-party validation matters more than most people realise.

Why Social Proof Works

Humans are wired to pay attention to what others think. Whether we’re choosing a restaurant, buying a product or scanning someone’s profile, we instinctively look for signals of trust.

In professional terms, that means testimonials, recommendations, endorsements and reviews.

When someone else publicly vouches for your skills, your impact or your character, it carries far more weight than if you say it yourself. Not because you’re not credible, but because we trust social proof – especially when we’re making decisions about people we don’t yet know.

The LinkedIn Opportunity Most People Miss

LinkedIn has a built-in mechanism for gathering and showcasing this kind of trust: the Recommendations section. Yet so many professionals leave it empty.

If you’ve done great work, delivered results, or made an impact – ask for a recommendation. Not from everyone, but from those who know you well, can speak authentically, and are happy to put their name to a few lines of praise.

It’s also a great idea to give recommendations to others. It not only strengthens relationships but often leads to the favour being returned.

And don’t forget endorsements. While a little lighter in tone, having your key skills validated by others increases your credibility and improves your visibility in search results.

Go Beyond LinkedIn

If you're running your own business or working as a consultant, testimonials on your website can play a big role in conversion. People don’t just want to see your offer – they want proof that it works. A few short quotes from past clients or colleagues can make all the difference.

You can also include testimonial quotes in your CV, personal branding documents or even your email signature. Just a line or two is often enough to build confidence and make you memorable.

Final Thought

We spend a lot of time getting our professional messaging right – and rightly so. But if you’re not also building a chorus of voices that support your narrative, you’re missing a key part of the picture.

Let your track record speak for itself – through the people who’ve seen your strengths up close.

Because what others say about you? That’s where the real power is.