In the business of factoring, success hinges on relationships. As a broker, your most valuable assets are the people who trust you—small business owners, bankers, CPAs, and other referral sources who see you as someone who brings real solutions to the table. That trust, however, is earned—not demanded. And in your journey to build those essential networks, there’s one silent killer of credibility that can sneak in if you’re not careful: Tall Poppy Syndrome.
What is Tall Poppy Syndrome?
In simple terms, Tall Poppy Syndrome is the tendency for others to cut down those who stand out too much or seem too full of themselves. While it often originates from jealousy or competition, it can also be triggered by behavior that comes across as arrogant or self-congratulatory—even if unintended.
In a role like factoring, where so much depends on word-of-mouth, reputation, and trust, avoiding this trap is essential. You want to be known as a resource, not a self-promoter.
LinkedIn: A Powerful Tool That Requires Subtlety
LinkedIn is one of the best tools available for building a referral-based business, especially for commercial finance consultants. But it’s also one of the easiest places to fall into the trap of over-promoting yourself.
Yes, you want to stand out—but you want to stand out for being useful, not just visible.
Here’s how to keep your presence impactful and humble on LinkedIn:
1. Use Recommendations, Not Self-Praise
LinkedIn allows others to write recommendations for you—and this is gold. A glowing recommendation from a client, referral source, or colleague carries 10 times the weight of anything you could write about yourself.
Make it a goal to earn these endorsements by delivering value. Then, kindly ask happy clients or partners to share a few words. These third-party testimonials keep your credibility high and your humility intact.
Pro Tip: Instead of asking “Can you write me a recommendation?”, ask “Would you mind sharing how our work together helped your client with their cash flow issue?”
2. Share Educational, Not Ego-Driven Content
Post articles, tips, and industry news that educate your network and solve problems. Be the teacher, not the hero of your own story.
Instead of saying:
“Just closed another big funding deal—no one does it better!”
Try:
“A lot of small subcontractors are running into delays with invoice payments. Here’s a simple way we recently helped one stay ahead of payroll.”
You still demonstrate your expertise—but in a helpful, non-braggy way.
3. Comment, Congratulate, and Connect Others
You don’t build influence by only posting about yourself. Be active in congratulating others on achievements. Comment meaningfully on their posts. Introduce professionals who can benefit from knowing one another.
Being seen as a connector builds social capital—without the need to boast.
Let Others Sing Your Praises
There’s an old saying: “Let another praise you, and not your own mouth.” That’s the sweet spot you want to live in, especially on LinkedIn. Build your reputation through value delivered, not accolades collected.
If someone refers to you as “the go-to expert in small business financing,” that’s gold. If you call yourself that, it loses shine fast.
Final Thought: Humble Wins the LinkedIn Game
Your LinkedIn profile and activity should quietly say: “I know what I’m doing, and I’m here to help.”
The most respected factoring brokers aren’t the ones shouting about their accomplishments. They’re the ones consistently providing insights, supporting others, and showing up when it matters.
In the end, the tallest poppy in the field is the one supported by deep roots in relationships—not loud declarations.