Agreeableness facet
Modesty: a facet of agreeableness
The modesty facet measures how much you play down your achievements and avoid seeing yourself as better than others.
What modesty measures
Modesty is one of six facets of agreeableness. It captures humility: reluctance to talk yourself up, claim credit or think of yourself as superior.
A high score doesn't necessarily mean low self-esteem. Many modest people feel confident; they just don't advertise it.
High modesty
High scorers are uncomfortable in the spotlight and tend to credit others. People often find them easy to like, though their contributions can go unnoticed.
- Downplay their achievements
- Share credit readily
- Dislike talking about themselves
- Feel awkward receiving praise
Low modesty
Low scorers are comfortable talking about their strengths and successes. They're good at making their contributions visible, though they may be seen as boastful if they overdo it.
- Talk openly about their achievements
- Believe they're better than average at many things
- Seek recognition
Talking about your achievements
For high scorers, it can help to describe results factually, what you did and what changed, rather than as boasting. For low scorers, pairing self-promotion with credit for others keeps it from grating.
More agreeableness facets
Related guides
Common questions
Is high modesty the same as low self-esteem?
No. Modesty is about how you present yourself; self-esteem is how you feel about yourself. Many modest people have healthy self-esteem.
Can modesty hold back a career?
It can if good work goes unseen. Keeping a record of results and sharing them factually helps without feeling like bragging.
For self-reflection and education only. This isn't a clinical or diagnostic tool and isn't a substitute for professional psychological or medical advice.