People reveal what they’re insecure about by what they brag about first.

The thing someone raises before anyone asked is usually the thing they are least sure of. Confidence does not need to be introduced, so the early mention is doing a job, heading off a judgment they are expecting. It tends to make people easier to be around rather than harder.

Listen for the first boast in a conversation and treat it as a soft spot rather than a target. Being kind about it costs nothing and buys you a lot. Then check your own opening lines, because whatever you announce first is telling people the same thing about you.