Own Your Power - Navigating Self-Promotion as a Woman

The legal profession, while making strides toward gender equality, still presents unique challenges for women. One such hurdle is the delicate balance between self-promotion and maintaining interpersonal relationships. While self-promotion is essential for career advancement, women often face a double-edged sword: they risk being perceived as too aggressive or self-centered if they self-promote, yet they are often overlooked for promotions, raises, high-profile cases, and leadership opportunities if they don't. This can lead to a career plateau and a sense of stagnation. It can also have a significant impact on earning potential. Not advocating for yourself risks undervaluing your contributions and limiting your career potential.?

This blog post explores why self-promotion is crucial for women in law and offers practical tips on how to showcase your accomplishments effectively.

The System is Stacked Against You

Many women lawyers are socialized to be modest and collaborative, qualities that are undoubtedly valuable in the legal profession. However, this inherent modesty can inadvertently hinder professional growth. In a field where self-promotion is often equated with arrogance, women may feel uncomfortable tooting their own horns.?

This phenomenon is rooted in deeply ingrained societal expectations and gender stereotypes. Men are often socialized to be assertive and competitive, while women are encouraged to be nurturing and collaborative. These stereotypes can create a hostile environment for women who step outside of traditional gender roles. When women self-promote, they can be labelled bossy or difficult, and are punished. At the same time, men who self-promote are often seen as assertive and confident leaders, and are rewarded.

Moreover, the expectation for women to tend to others can further hinder their career progression. Building solid relationships is undoubtedly valuable in any profession, but it can also lead to an overload of emotional labour and neglect of self-care. Women are often expected to manage office dynamics, resolve conflicts, and support colleagues emotionally, all while maintaining their workload. This invisible labour can significantly impact their productivity and career advancement.?

Women are also often socialized to be collaborative and team-oriented. This can lead to a tendency to downplay individual contributions in favour of emphasizing group achievements. "I couldn't have done it without the help of ..." is a common response women offer when receiving accolades.

The Backlash of Self-Promotion and Assertiveness

What happens when women take credit for their successes and demonstrate the kind of confidence their male counterparts exhibit? A linear analysis might lead one to conclude that building women’s confidence by taking credit where credit is due would propel them to success. Unfortunately, while research confirms that women suffer adverse consequences for their lack of confidence, they suffer a different set of adverse consequences when assertive.

Many women are ambivalent about projecting assertiveness, and they have good reason. Studies show evidence of a social and economic backlash against women. Research reveals that although attitudes regarding gender roles are changing and the gender wage gap is narrowing, women often pay a heavy social and professional price for acting in a way that is perceived as aggressive. In fact, research documents that success and likeability are positively correlated for men and negatively correlated for women. This is because women negotiating economic outcomes in the workplace are concurrently negotiating social approval, with the result that they will often concede on material issues in situations where their assertiveness may be negatively perceived. Thus, women may find themselves forced to choose between being seen as likeable because they conduct themselves in stereotypical female communal ways, such as being caring, cooperative and nurturing, or being seen as competent. Not surprisingly, the fear of not being liked and drawing negative attention are further barriers women face in pursuing success.

Own Your Worth: Eight Practical Steps to Confident Self-Promotion

It's essential to recognize that self-promotion is not about bragging; it's about acknowledging and communicating your value, skill, experience, and achievements. So, how can women lawyers effectively promote themselves? Here are eight concrete strategies:

1.?Reframe Self-Promotion as a Value Proposition: Instead of focusing on personal accolades, emphasize your value to clients and the firm. Frame self-promotion as a way to highlight your contributions and demonstrate your expertise. This approach shifts the focus from self-aggrandizement to showcasing your worth.

2.?Find Your Voice: Develop a solid personal brand that resonates with your clients. Identify your unique selling points and communicate them confidently. This could involve crafting a compelling bio, giving presentations at industry events, and sharing your expertise through articles, blog posts, and social media.

3.?Seek Mentorship and Feedback: Find a mentor who can provide guidance and support as you navigate the world of self-promotion. Seek feedback from trusted colleagues on your approach and identify areas for improvement. A mentor can also help you develop strategies to overcome self-doubt or fear of backlash.

4.?Set Realistic Goals: Start small and gradually increase your self-promotion efforts. Set achievable goals and track your progress. Celebrating small wins can boost confidence and motivate you to continue building your personal brand.

5. Practice Active Listening and Empathy: While self-promotion is essential, it's equally important to actively listen to others. Demonstrate empathy and understanding of your clients’ needs. This approach fosters stronger relationships and builds trust, making your self-promotion efforts more effective. Remember, genuine connection is key to successful self-promotion.?

6. Track your accomplishments: Record your achievements, including cases won, positive client feedback, and professional development activities. Use this information to craft a compelling narrative about your career.

7. Seek leadership opportunities: Volunteer for committees, task forces, or bar association roles. Leadership positions provide opportunities to showcase your skills and expand your network.

8. Ask for what you deserve: Don't be afraid to negotiate for a higher salary, promotion, or additional responsibilities. Prepare for these conversations by researching industry standards and practicing your pitch.

Step into the Spotlight

Remember, self-promotion is not about bragging; it's about owning your accomplishments and advocating for your career growth. By embracing self-promotion, women lawyers can break through barriers, achieve their full potential, and inspire the next generation of female legal professionals.

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