Visibility for C-Level and Board Roles: What Female Executives must Know – Advice from the Experts

In the last three weeks, I've had the privilege of hosting exclusive, virtual, fireside chats with top-tier guests, all focused on empowering female executives to secure board roles and high-level leadership opportunities. Our distinguished speakers included Kieran Moynihan, Chinwe Ajene-Sagna , and Dr. Temitope Richard-Banji. Their insights offer a roadmap for women aiming to elevate their professional presence and influence.

Lessons from Kieran Moynihan: Visibility for Boards

• Young or old, don't count yourself out- There is space for you. The world of work has changed and the traditional model where NEDs are in their 60’s and 70’s is shifting. Whatever age, the most important thing is to have genuine, significant experience and value to bring to a board. The most important thing is to NOT underplay your value and to build your digital footprint. Search firms will make quick judgment calls when looking at your LinkedIn Profile, so you must make it compelling.
• Utilize LinkedIn and add networking to your board readiness strategy: Join the various groups, there's fantastic support out there and lots of useful resources?on LinkedIn. Every minute you'll see on LinkedIn some incredible articles and guidance from people all around the world. You also have to put in the hard work of reaching out to search?firms.
• Thought Leadership: Establish yourself as a thought leader in your industry. Regularly publish articles, participate in webinars, and engage in discussions that showcase your knowledge. This not only enhances your visibility but also positions you as an authority in your field.

Chinwe Ajene-Sagna, who sits on multiple global advisory boards, shared practical networking strategies for aspiring board members:

• Leveraging Existing Networks: Tap into your current network to identify potential board opportunities. Reach out to former colleagues, mentors, and industry peers. Personal recommendations often carry significant weight in board selections.
• Building New Connections: Attend industry conferences, seminars, and networking events. Chinwe highlighted the importance of being proactive in introducing yourself and discussing your board aspirations with potential influencers.
• Joining Professional Organizations: Become a member of professional organizations related to your industry. These platforms offer access to exclusive events and networking opportunities with senior leaders and board members.
• Strategy for introverts -?Being known as an expert in your industry has nothing to do with extrovert or introvert. Find ways to get out of your comfort zone through volunteering and sharing your thoughts in writing.

Strategies from Dr. Temitope Richard-Banji: Visibility for C-Level and Board Roles

Dr. Temitope Richard-Banji, a seasoned global human capital and leadership consultant, provided actionable advice on enhancing visibility for C-level and board roles:

1. Documenting Achievements: Keep a detailed record of your professional achievements. This documentation is crucial when applying for senior roles, as it allows you to present concrete evidence of your impact and capabilities.
2. Overcoming Impostor Syndrome: Many women suffer from impostor syndrome, doubting their abilities and worthiness. Dr. Richard-Banji encouraged female executives to recognize and overcome these feelings. Embrace your strengths and understand that you bring unique value to the table.
3. Volunteer for Board Experience: Gain board experience by volunteering for smaller organizations or nonprofits. This provides valuable insights into board dynamics and governance, preparing you for future opportunities in larger organizations.

Actionable Steps to Enhance Visibility

Given the above expert advice, here are actionable steps to raise your visibility for C-level and board roles:

1. Optimize Your LinkedIn Profile: Ensure your LinkedIn profile is comprehensive and up-to-date. Highlight your achievements, skills, and professional experience. Regularly post articles and updates that demonstrate your thought leadership.
2. Engage in Thought Leadership: Publish articles, participate in webinars, and speak at industry events. These activities increase your visibility and establish you as an expert in your field.
3. Network Strategically: Build and maintain a strong professional network. Attend industry events, join professional organizations, and actively engage with peers and leaders in your field.
4. Document and Showcase Achievements: Keep a detailed record of your achievements and be ready to present them when opportunities arise. This helps in confidently communicating your value to potential employers or board selectors.
5. Volunteer for Board Experience: Seek out opportunities to volunteer on boards of smaller organizations or nonprofits. This experience is invaluable in understanding board governance and preparing for larger roles.

Next in the Series

A key aspect of implementing these steps is getting the right mindset. Dealing with feelings of inadequacy or impostor syndrome can hinder your ascent for these strategic roles, which is why for the next edition of the series our speaker will be addressing the visibility mindset required to attract these strategic roles.

Our speaker is the amazing, Joanna Dutra is the founder of The Creative Confidant: offering confidence coaching, motivational speaking, and personal branding. She helps people find the best way to present themselves to the world.?

Joanna has a solid background in advertising and product marketing for Fortune 500 companies. After spending nearly 20 years building big brands like Gillette, Duracell, Stop & Shop, and Wendy’s, she decided to bring her zest for product marketing to a personal level. In this session, Joanna and I will be delving into the mindset of visibility, focusing on confidence building techniques, harnessing our authenticity and getting rid of the mindset blocks that keep us from pursuing the high level roles we desire.?This will be an unmissable session, so please click here to register.

Which of these visibility steps would be the easiest or hardest to implement? Share with me in the comments

#executivevisibility #womeninleadership #personalbranding #thoughtleadership #womenonboards

About Glory Edozien (PhD): Glory is an award winning thought leadership branding and LinkedIn visibility strategist for African Female Executives. She is a LinkedIn Top Voice and a member of the Forbes Global Coaching Council.