Hi there, Lachlan Brown here, founder of Hack Spirit. Have you ever come across men who never miss a chance to flaunt their wealth or status?
It can be puzzling, even frustrating, to understand why they do it.
Well, according to psychology, there’s more to this behaviour than just showboating. Men who frequently brag about their money and status tend to exhibit certain distinct traits.
So if you’re curious to learn what’s really behind all that bravado, keep reading. Let’s crack the code together.
1) Insecurity and the need for validation
Ever wondered why some men constantly talk about their wealth and status?
Psychologists suggest that this behaviour often stems from a deep-seated sense of insecurity.
These men are seeking validation, trying to mask their insecurities by flaunting their achievements or material possessions.
Let’s take a step back and think about it. Bragging is essentially a self-promotion tool.
It’s a way to elevate oneself in the eyes of others.
But when it becomes excessive, it might just be a sign that the person is struggling with their self-worth.
Men, and people in general, who frequently boast about their wealth or status often struggle with low self-esteem.
They use their bragging as a defense mechanism, trying to project an image of confidence and success to hide their insecurities.
This constant need for approval and affirmation can make them come across as arrogant or narcissistic. However, beneath that facade, they’re often just craving validation and acceptance.
2) Dominance and power play
Another common trait of men who often boast about their money and status is a desire to assert dominance.
This is a power play, a psychological tactic to establish superiority over others.
In many societies, wealth and status are seen as indicators of power and control. So, by bragging about these aspects, these individuals are trying to establish themselves as the ‘alpha’, the dominant figure in the room.
According to psychologists, this demeanor could be linked to the primitive instinct of survival of the fittest.
In the animal kingdom, the alpha male often displays overt signs of power to assert dominance and control. Some men may unconsciously exhibit similar behaviours in social situations.
They want others to see them as successful, powerful figures, hoping this would command respect and admiration.
However, true leadership and respect don’t come from boasting about one’s achievements or wealth.
It comes from humility, empathy and treating others with kindness and respect. Therefore, this dominance display could actually be counterproductive in their quest for respect and admiration.
3) Lack of emotional intelligence
Drawing from my own observations and experiences, I’ve found that men who frequently brag about their money and status often struggle with emotional intelligence.
Emotional intelligence, as you may know, is the ability to understand and manage our own emotions, as well as empathize with the emotions of others.
It’s about being aware of how our actions and words can affect those around us.
Yet, I’ve noticed that frequent braggers often seem oblivious to how their boasting might be perceived by others. They may not realize that their constant self-promotion might actually be driving people away rather than drawing them in.
Psychologists suggest that this lack of emotional intelligence could stem from various factors. It might be due to a lack of self-awareness or inability to empathize with others. Or it could be a result of being so focused on their own achievements that they fail to consider how their words might impact others.
Regardless of the reason, it’s clear that a high level of emotional intelligence is not typically a strong suit of those who frequently flaunt their wealth or status.
4) Lack of mental toughness
Now, this might come as a surprise, but men who constantly brag about their wealth and status often lack mental toughness.
Mental toughness is all about resilience, the ability to face adversity and bounce back from failures. It’s about having the confidence to know that you can overcome any obstacle that life throws at you.
But here’s the thing: people who frequently brag often do so because they are trying to prove something to themselves and others.
They might not have the mental toughness to face their insecurities or shortcomings head-on, so they use their wealth and status as a shield.
In my book The Art of Resilience: A Practical Guide to Developing Mental Toughness, I discuss how true resilience comes from within. It’s not about external factors like wealth or status, but about how you handle life’s ups and downs.
So when you see someone constantly flaunting their successes, remember that it might be a reflection of their lack of mental toughness.
And that’s something no amount of money or status can buy.
5) Fear of insignificance
It seems paradoxical, doesn’t it? How can individuals who appear to be so full of confidence and success be afraid of feeling insignificant?
Well, the answer lies in the very act of bragging itself. The constant need to remind others of their wealth and status could stem from a deep-seated fear of being overlooked or forgotten.
These men might fear that without their material successes, they would fade into the background.
They may worry that people won’t find them interesting or important if they don’t have impressive achievements to show off.
So they brag. They flaunt their riches and status in an attempt to stay relevant, to remind everyone (and perhaps themselves) that they matter and have a significant place in the world.
It’s an interesting dichotomy, isn’t it? While on the surface they seem to be the epitome of success and importance, on a deeper level, they might just be struggling with a fear of becoming irrelevant.
6) Desire for control
Control, in this context, refers to the need to dictate the narrative about oneself. It’s about ensuring that others perceive them in a certain way – successful, powerful, and influential.
By constantly talking about their wealth and status, these individuals are trying to control how others see them. They want to be seen as the person who has it all together, the one who’s always on top of things.
This desire for control often stems from fear – fear of being perceived as weak, fear of losing status, or fear of being seen as a failure.
By controlling the narrative, they believe they can protect themselves from these perceived threats.
However, this constant need for control can often come across as insecurity and can push people away rather than draw them closer.
True confidence comes from within and doesn’t need constant validation from external sources.
7) Lack of contentment
The final trait that often characterizes men who frequently brag about their money and status is a lack of contentment.
Contentment is about being satisfied with what you have, appreciating your achievements without constantly craving more.
However, people who frequently boast about their wealth and status often struggle with this concept.
Their constant need to flaunt their successes suggests an insatiable desire for more – more wealth, more recognition, more status.
This constant striving can leave them feeling perpetually unsatisfied, no matter how much they achieve or acquire. They’re always chasing the next big thing, never taking the time to appreciate what they already have.
Ultimately, contentment comes from within and cannot be attained through external validation or material possessions. It’s a lesson that all of us, not just those who brag about their wealth and status, would do well to remember.
Final thoughts
In conclusion, it’s clear that men who frequently brag about their money and status often do so for reasons deeper than mere showboating. Whether it’s insecurity, fear of insignificance, or a lack of contentment, understanding these underlying traits can help us empathize with them rather than judge them.
However, it’s equally important to remember that true success isn’t about flaunting wealth or status. It’s about developing mental toughness, forming genuine connections, and finding contentment in what we have.
In my book The Art of Resilience: A Practical Guide to Developing Mental Toughness, I go into this in more detail.
If you’re interested in cultivating resilience and finding internal validation instead of seeking it externally, I highly recommend giving it a read.
Feeling stuck in self-doubt?
Stop trying to fix yourself and start embracing who you are. Join the free 7-day self-discovery challenge and learn how to transform negative emotions into personal growth.
