Why Women Who Want to Lead Must Build Visibility

For many mid-senior level women, the road to leadership is filled with silent obstacles. You’ve worked hard, delivered results, and have the credentials to prove it, but something still feels off. Why aren’t you being considered for that board role or that coveted C-suite position?

The truth is, being great at your job is not enough. Leadership roles aren’t just given to the most qualified; they’re given to the most visible. If you’re not actively cultivating your presence, there’s a good chance the decision-makers don’t even know who you are, let alone what you’re capable of.

This isn't about vanity or self-promotion—it's about positioning yourself where opportunity can find you.

Visibility is Power

Let’s face it—visibility is uncomfortable for many women. We’ve been conditioned to believe that our work should speak for itself, and if we’re good enough, people will notice. But the reality is, most boardroom seats and leadership roles aren’t handed out in recognition of hard work alone.

Visibility gives you power—the power to influence decisions, shape perceptions, and open doors that would otherwise remain closed. When the right people know your name, your value, and your story, you put yourself in a position to choose the roles you want, rather than wait for them to be handed to you.

The Fear of Self-Promotion

One of the most common objections I hear from female executives is: “I don’t want to come off as arrogant or self-serving.”

This fear is real, but we need to reframe the narrative around self-promotion. Sharing your accomplishments, ideas, and vision isn’t about boasting—it’s about positioning yourself as the leader you are. It’s about owning your space and telling your story in a way that resonates with the people who need to hear it.

Consider this: Would you trust a CEO who no one’s heard of? Would you vote for a board member whose name never comes up in industry conversations? The most successful women leaders have mastered the art of visibility—not by being loud, but by being intentional, strategic, and consistent.

The Cost of Staying Silent

Imagine you’re at a meeting, and a critical decision is being made. You know you have valuable insight, but you hesitate. You tell yourself, “Maybe someone else will say it,” or “What if I’m wrong?”

That hesitation is costing you more than just a moment of silence—it’s costing you leadership opportunities.

Too many women, despite their expertise, are waiting to be "perfect" before they step up. They compare themselves to other industry leaders, thinking they don’t measure up yet. But here’s the truth: the perfect time to claim your space will never come. You have to make the decision to show up as you are, because your voice matters now.

Building a Strategic Personal Brand

Being visible doesn’t mean you have to constantly shout about your achievements. It’s about building a strategic personal brand—one that highlights your expertise, communicates your value, and makes you top of mind when leadership opportunities arise.

Here’s what that looks like:

• Consistent Thought Leadership: Sharing your insights on LinkedIn or other platforms positions you as a go-to expert in your field.
• Meaningful Connections: Building relationships with other leaders and influencers in your industry ensures that your name is on the radar of the right people.
• Telling Your Story: Your journey matters. Whether it’s through speaking engagements, articles, or networking, the more people hear your story, the more they understand the value you bring.

The Objection: “I Don’t Have the Time”

Many women in mid-senior level roles struggle with the belief that they simply don’t have the time to build visibility. Between managing teams, meeting deadlines, and balancing life, personal branding seems like an extra task on an already overflowing plate.

But the reality is, you can’t afford not to make time. The higher you go in your career, the more critical it becomes to position yourself as a thought leader. Leadership roles require more than just operational excellence—they require influence, strategy, and the ability to lead by example. And that starts with building visibility.

This Summit is Your Roadmap

The Visibility and Leadership Summit is Here

If any of this resonates with you, then you already know what needs to be done. But where do you start? That’s exactly why we’re hosting the Visibility and Leadership Summit on October 11th.

This summit will give you the roadmap to build a powerful personal brand, step confidently into your leadership potential, and open doors to board and C-suite opportunities. You’ll learn from top leaders and board members who have mastered visibility and leveraged it to transform their careers. You’ll walk away with the tools and strategies to position yourself as a leader in your industry—so that when the next opportunity arises, you’re not just qualified—you’re the obvious choice.

Our Speakers include recognised indusr leaders, board executives and csuite leaders.

1. Vivien Shobo, FCA ; Independent Director - Guinness Nigeria, Infracredit, Okomu Oil, FMDQ Clear & Notore Chemical Industries

2. Peju Adebajo ; Non-Executive Director, Wolseley UK and Ibstock PLC, LinkedIn Top 10 Green Voice

3. Alex Goma ; Business Consultant, BusinessMax Consulting Ltd

4. Olayimikah Bolo Chief Risk Officer, Chapel Hill Denham

5. Korede Demola-Adeniyi Board Member, The Alternative Bank

6. Ayodele Olojede FCA, MBA ; Divisional Head of Retail and SME Banking, Wema Bank

7. Kari Tukur ; Board Member / Non-Executive Director, DLM Capital Group

This isn’t your average event. Expect:

- Insights from trailblazing executives

- Networking with senior executives and peers?

- Actionable strategies to boost visibility and access global opportunities.

Final Thought: Stop Waiting to Be Seen

Women who wait to be noticed often wait in vain. The reality is, your work is only as impactful as the people who know about it. The good news is, you have the power to change that narrative. You deserve to be seen, to be heard, and to lead.

I invite you to join us on October 11th for a summit that will change how you see yourself and how the world sees you. Seats are limited, and this opportunity is not one you want to miss. Click here to secure your place.

#WomenInLeadership; #BoardroomReady; #ExecutiveLeadership; #PersonalBranding; #LeadershipDevelopment; #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.