Giuseppe Curigliano: You Do Not Need to Be Successful, You Just Have to Certify Your Own Success

Giuseppe Curigliano, ESMO President Elect, Professor of Medical Oncology at the University of Milan, Head of the Division of Early Drug Development at European Institute of Oncology, shared on LinkedIn: 'It is a strange world, the one inhabited by so many researchers and clinicians. I recently came across this editorial by Aldo Grasso, and I thought its message was particularly relevant to our own community. Some people 'issue' their own certificate of excellence. The web does the rest. It turns self-esteem into a career, a profile into a biography, and followers into enthusiastic admirers. There is no longer any need to wait for others to decide whether you deserve recognition: you simply award it to yourself and then find those who agree. With a few thousand likes, authority is duly established. 'We live in the age of self-certification.' You no longer need to be good at what you do: you simply need to say that you are. You do not need to be successful: you just have to certify your own success. The traditional path used to be straightforward: 'I do something, others judge it, and, if warranted, they recognize its value.' Now it is: 'I do something, review myself, proclaim my own worth, and the web takes care of the validation – and the self-mythologizing.' This is an age in which a CV no longer tells the story of what you have actually done, but rather of who you believe yourself to be. The result is a curious erosion of credibility. Many people have become experts in themselves – and their assessment is invariably favorable. 'The judgment of others has become optional, while modesty has come to be regarded as a failure of communication.' Once, you had to earn a reputation. Today, you simply need to have already written it in your 'link in bio.' ' Other articles about Giuseppe Curigliano on OncoDaily. See also: The 100 Most Influential People in Oncology in 2025 (Full List) Giuseppe Curigliano was recognized among OncoDaily's The 100 Most Influential People in Oncology in 2025, highlighting his contributions to the field of oncology. Nominations for 100 Influential People in Oncology 2026 are now open, recognizing leaders, researchers, clinicians, innovators, advocates, and other individuals making a meaningful impact on oncology and cancer care. Don't miss the opportunity to nominate yourself, a colleague, or someone whose contributions deserve to be recognized. Submit your nomination by September 15.