Drawing from a fascinating strain of laboratory research, she advises against several popular tactics such as “humblebragging” and “boomerasking” (asking a question in the hope it will be reciprocated so that you can bring up your own accomplishments).

 The trick is to know when to talk about our achievements and when not to do so. That calls for maturity, judgment, and a degree of spontaneity. Here are some tips given by the author.

 Author Leslie K. John is a professor of business administration at Harvard Business School.