I was recently asked to offer my professional insight to Dice author Leslie Stevens-Huffman for an article on how women in tech can increase their visibility in the workplace. No matter what industry you’re in, increasing your visibility is key to advancing your career. So, here are some more of my perspectives on this topic.
Start Small
My experience working with women leaders has shown me that the best way to bring about lasting, positive change that results in consistent opportunities to increase your profile is to take small steps. It’s great that you want to seek out a big project to assist on or to offer to lead a presentation at an event where executive leaders will be attending.
The problem is that making a big, bold move all at once can leave you feeling overwhelmed and possibly, questioning your ability to follow through. Instead of jumping in with both feet, try finding smaller opportunities where you can add value to the organization. Use your ordinary daily interactions to increase your visibility and then build up to larger opportunities.
Build Your Confidence
I talk a lot about confidence, and that’s because it’s a particularly important topic for women leaders. Consider a KPMG Women’s Leadership Study (conducted by Ipsos on behalf of KPMG) that surveyed 3,014 US women between the ages of 18 and 64. A whopping 67% of women reported that they needed “more support building confidence to feel like they can be leaders.”
Further, “the lack of confidence affects an array of other activities tied to ultimately becoming leaders: nine in 10 women said they do not feel confident asking for sponsors (92%), with large numbers also lacking confidence seeking mentors (79%), asking for access to senior leadership (76%), pursuing a job opportunity beyond their experience (73%), asking for a career path plan (69%), requesting a promotion (65%), raise (61%), or a new role or position (56%).”
Saying it’s important to build confidence is an understatement. In fact, the study indicates that corporations should consider why confidence poses such a challenge for substantial numbers of women in corporate environments.
If you’re looking for ways to increase your confidence, many of my previous posts are chockfull of helpful tips and strategies:
- 5 Confidence Building Tips for Women
- Bold Builders: 5 Confidence-Boosting Affirmations
- Why It’s Important to Develop Confidence in Women
- Banish Stress to Gain Confidence: 5 Tips for Working Moms
- Confidence Through Learning: How Education Eliminates Insecurity
Change Your Mindset
If increasing your visibility feels like a struggle, try shifting your mindset. Part of creating a shift in your mindset comes from developing your self-confidence, but there’s still more work to do. Take small steps outside of your comfort zone by trying the following techniques.
- Silence your inner critic by becoming aware of negative self-talk that is holding you back.
- Get more comfortable accepting compliments instead of brushing them off or thinking someone was “just trying to be nice.”
- Seek support when you need it – whether that involves working with a mentor or coach or just reading books and other materials that encourage you to grow.
- Celebrate EVERY success! Propel yourself forward by reflecting back on your achievements, both big and small.
- Embrace who you are, your authentic
And remember, small steps will eventually get you big results – in work and in life.
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Images courtesy of stockimages at FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Colleen Slaughter, Proud Executive Coach to the UN World Food Program, the 2020 Nobel Peace Prize Winner
As an Executive Coach for Women in Leadership and Transformational Facilitator, my intention is to help leaders in positions of high influence to understand their worth at a profound level.
Supporting women leaders to truly thrive and step into their greatness, while succeeding in male-dominated industries and spaces is my native genius.
My technique and approach show you how to achieve incredible career success without compromising any part of who you are and what makes you magnificent.