I have been in the past, by nature, a shy kind of person. I was not into parties, I let things slide by that dug me in more deeply, I became what others wanted me to be.
Somewhere in high school, I learned the lesson in this article, and I am going to say some related things. How did the bullies, stupid as they were, gain followers? What was it about the way they acted that the strong moved with the strong instead of butting heads?
It's pack mentality. We have it, as social creatures. The posing makes a difference. Whatever you feel inside, you can move and shake things with the illusion.
Then, somewhere along the lines, you believe in the illusion, have molded yourself into it. You pretended to be an alpha, and then you became it.
Will the babes start liking you? You know it; many studies have shown a relationship between confidence (not necessarily over-confidence, not feigned confidence) and attraction.
Getting into the habit of a particular mindset CAN change you. Forcing a smile will eventually result in a real smile. Sure, your self-esteem can rise, purely on this.
And it does not have to be a practice of one-upping. Real alphas do not need to play that game. ;) We can respect the presence and domains of other alphas. You are talking about the yapping pups.