3 Male Habits That Shout Low Self-Esteem

Self-confidence is something many men strive to project at every turn. After all, who doesn’t want to appear as an admired and respected alpha male? But as they say, the louder the lion roars, the more likely it is he’s trying to hide his insecurities.

Self-confidence is something many men strive to project at every turn. After all, who doesn’t want to appear as an admired and respected alpha male? But as they say, the louder the lion roars, the more likely it is he’s trying to hide his insecurities.

Here are three typical male behaviors that reveal more about internal insecurity than about a strong personality.

"Hit Your Own to Scare the Others"

We all know those guys—when they feel their ego is threatened, they immediately find someone weaker to take it out on. This usually means junior colleagues, children, or even worse, their partners. They might be sweet and polite at work, but as soon as they step through the door at home, they turn into “home tyrants.”

This behavior is a classic sign of low self-esteem. Instead of dealing with their own fears and doubts, these men project them onto others. Ironically, this only makes them feel worse.

"I Know Best" or Expertise in Everything

You’ve probably encountered these men at parties—they always have advice to give, even when no one asked. Whether it’s football, cooking, or pyramid construction, they claim to know it all and then some. But behind this show of “expertise” lies deep insecurity. If they were truly confident, they wouldn’t need to flaunt their importance at every opportunity.

Criticizing Everyone and Everything

The best defense is attack, and in the case of low self-esteem, this is more relevant than ever. A man with such issues often becomes a master critic. He knows how to run a business, choose a car, and even be an expert in relationships. The question is, why doesn’t he follow his own advice? Because deep down, his “inner critic” is constantly finding flaws in himself. So, he just tries to silence this voice by criticizing others.

Why Does This Happen?

Low self-esteem isn’t a sentence or an excuse for bad behavior. It’s simply a signal that someone needs to work on their self-confidence. Anyone can find themselves in this situation, but it’s important to remember: you can change your habits and become the best version of yourself.

So, if you recognize yourself in these descriptions, don’t rush to be upset. Instead, think about what you can do to change the situation. And remember: confidence isn’t something given to you by someone else; it’s something you develop within yourself.