Invisibility at Work?
I had a great conversation with a potential client yesterday who struggles with so many nuances in her corporate space that I think you will be able to relate to at some level.
This is a passionate impact-minded, high-achieving woman who has been in the same position in the educational sector at a major university for seven years—doing the work of the role above her for the past three years. Yet the odds of getting her deserved promotion aren’t likely going to happen in the next eighteen months.
And get this: she could potentially make $100K more in this new role! 😮
She LOVES her job but of course, wants to feel rewarded financially for her contributions. As a mom and wife, earning this money matters to her. As an Indigenous woman who is the first and only in her family to earn a graduate degree, she is building up her personal brand on the side because her WHY is to be the voice for other Indigenous people like her.
In her outside pursuits as a speaker and leader, she gets to be authentic, which is really important to her because she is shining the light on the invisibility of her people in America. She is determined to be the change she wants to see and use her privilege to uplift others.
But in her day job in the educational sector, she has to shape shift, often dimming her lights, because if she stands out, it is seen as TOO assertive. TOO much. In many ways, she feels invisible at work.
Sigh. 😔
Have you been there (or close) ?
Are you wanting your light to shine brightly, yet feeling the pressure to submit and conform to structures, systems, and societal expectations?
Navigating complex corporate dynamics is no joke (and the conversation at my last Women’s Catalyst Circle brought this home loudly!) and often as women we tell ourselves that we should play small rather than risk backlash, consequences or judgment.
Is it better though? Or just more comfortable? 🤔
Here is a serious question you need to ask yourself: Which matters more to me, shaving the edges off my corners to fit into a small box at work or boldly and unapologetically standing confidently as my authentic self taking up all the space I need?
I get it. To say the latter requires a LOT of courage and bravery. Because unfortunately there are consequences for women speaking their truth. Sometimes tough ones.
But as I was sharing with Emily, (not her real name), there are times we reach a season in our life when we CHOOSE to live, love and lead authentically and fully and unleash the full expanse of our brilliance.
In these seasons, it is helpful (sometimes imperative) to have a guide to keep you accountable to your mission and vision so you make your divinely designed impact.
Emily desires to be on national boards, publish her amazing story in a book, speak on larger stages, and elevate her community in transformative ways. Yet she shared that she feels overwhelmed because she’s juggling so much and she can’t bring many of these things to fruition.
Bandwidth and prioritization—a real challenge for so many women, particularly those with families or caregiving responsibilities, who might find it challenging to allocate time and energy to build and maintain a visible public profile. The effort and time it takes to engage actively with social media, manage a website, or speak publicly can be daunting when balanced with other responsibilities.
I shared with Emily that she’s not alone. And that partnering with me can give her the clarity on the priorities she needs to focus on in this season of her life so that she CAN propel forward faster in service to her mission.
If you are in a season where you know things have to shift and you truly care about your impact, come and join me at my next WCC event which will be held on May 21st, 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the Maryland Innovation Center, and it will be about—visibility!!
The event titled Visibility Unveiled: Stepping Up and Standing Out in Your Arena is going to be about how we harness our platforms, perspectives, and privileges to ignite change in our spheres of influence.
Register today for May’s WCC and sign up for a very special experience. For more information, watch this video.
Are you excited to join me?
REGISTER HERE
Visibility Elevation & Accelerator Private VIP Package!
The fear of visibility shows up in SO many ways and I want to help women who are ready to flip the script to level up and elevate their visibility AUTHENTICALLY in this 5-hour intensive session with me so that their impact, income, and influence increases! This five-hour two-session intensive private customized coaching, brainstorming, ideating, clarifying, and illuminating session is meant to accelerate and elevate you if you’re ready to MOVE forward and upward. Interested? Visit the Visibility Elevation & Accelerator Private VIP Package website if you want to learn more.
To your continued unveiling!
Natalie
The Brilliance Unveiler