Self-important as a direct result (13)
I believe the answer is:
consequential
'self-important' is the definition.
(thesaurus)
'a direct result' is the wordplay.
I cannot really see how this works, but
'a' is found in the answer.
'direct' could be 'con' (con can mean to direct a ship) and 'con' is found within the answer.
'result' could be 'sequent' (I've seen this in another clue) and 'sequent' is located in the answer.
This explanation may well be incorrect...
'as' is the link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for consequential that I've seen before include "Resulting" , "Significant" , "Following as a result" , "Important; following on" .)