Are you visible enough?
Julie Murrell
Style & Confidence Coach → You hate getting dressed and you think to yourself, "I guess I'll just throw this on again"
The Visibility Conundrum
Women are rising to leadership positions, breaking barriers, and carving paths toward success like never before.?
Yet, amidst this progress, a significant obstacle many women encounter is the lack of visibility.
From navigating corporate and/or male-dominated environments to combating imposter syndrome, the journey to success can feel like an uphill battle and the struggle to stand out and be recognized for your achievements is a common thread.
This lack of visibility not only hinders individual career progression but also perpetuates systemic inequalities.
Enter Darine BenAmara , a seasoned advocate for women's empowerment and gender equality, and founder of Smart Women Consulting.
With over a decade of experience spanning multiple continents, Darine is an expert in empowering individuals to thrive in inclusive environments.
In a recent Beyond Style Conversation, Darine sheds light on the intricate dynamics of visibility and offers insights to propel ambitious women forward.
Competence and Visibility Go Hand-In-Hand
At the heart of the visibility challenge lies society’s conditioning for women to prioritize competence and expertise over self-promotion.
And despite being dedicated to education, qualifications and expertise, many women still find themselves and their value overlooked.
As it turns out, the need to be excessively competent or experienced to gain visibility is a major misconception.
Darine emphasized the importance of women recognizing their worth and taking proactive steps to showcase their expertise.
The challenge here is the reluctance to be in the spotlight out of fear of being seen as arrogant or boasting.
Darine challenges this narrative, emphasizing that visibility is not about boasting but about authentically and strategically showcasing your expertise and accomplishments as a means of building thought leadership and credibility.
"Visibility is about more than just being seen; it's about being known," she says.?
"It's about creating a narrative that resonates with others, enabling them to understand who you are, what you stand for, and the value you bring to the table."
The Internal and External Challenges of Visibility
So, why do women struggle with visibility??
Well, during our conversation Darine highlighted a combination of internal and external factors that hold women back from stepping into their full potential including:
When it comes to mindset blocks, that pesky imposter syndrome is often at play, and it holds women back from asserting themselves.?
On top of that, the absence of guidance on how to effectively promote yourself also makes it difficult to effectively stand out.?
But all hope is not lost!
Darine emphasized that visibility is a skill that can be cultivated and mastered.
And what skills are necessary to enhance visibility, you ask??
Darine highlights the importance of self-awareness, confidence, and storytelling.?
Understanding yourself is crucial to crafting a compelling narrative that showcases your personal and professional journey and project your authentic self with conviction.
Women should embrace their unique stories and experiences, leveraging them to establish meaningful connections by relating and resonating with their audience.?
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By fostering self-awareness and confidence, individuals can confidently navigate professional spaces and assert their presence.
The Role of Image and Perception in Visibility
Our appearance plays a major role in professional visibility because, well, in this world perception is reality.
And the reality is that your image is intrinsically connected with credibility.
Speaking from personal experience working in the male-dominated industry of politics, Darine highlights the impact of style and presentation on professional success.
“The way you present yourself has an impact not only on the way people perceive you, but also your credibility” she says.
?“And you only have one shot at? making the first right impression.”
Darine encourages women to be mindful of the image they project because of the impact of attire and presentation on credibility and opportunities.
And while it’s important to align your appearance with professional expectations and cultural norms, personal style should also be fun.?
Not to mention feeling confident in your appearance translates into confidence in other areas of professional life.
"Your image is a canvas through which you express your identity and values," Darine reflects.?
"By striking the right balance between professionalism and self-expression, women can enhance their credibility and make a lasting impression."
Turning Visibility Into Opportunity
Ultimately, Darine urges women to embrace visibility as a catalyst for professional growth.?
Not only that but visibility is a form of self-advocacy so own your value, make yourself known, speak up, dress for success, turn on your camera, and? assert your presence to seize opportunities.?
"If you don't do it for yourself, no one else will. And no matter what you do, how you do it, people will have an opinion. So do you and enjoy it."
Remember: Visibility is a choice, and it begins with ourselves.?
By embracing our worth and showcasing our capabilities, we pave the way for professional growth and success.?
So, let's step into the spotlight, celebrate our achievements, and inspire others to do the same.
Be sure to connect with Darine BenAmara on LinkedIn, and checkout The Standout From The Crowd Podcast (click here) for more insightful conversations to about women’s leadership.
Julie Murrell
Image Strategist & Career Growth Catalyst for Professional Women
> Admittedly struggled with fear of being visible for years
>> Now embracing the joy of visibility
P.S. If you liked this, I have some FANTASTIC LinkedIn Events Past & Future that you might also like:
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Book a Style Strategy Session and I’ll share the exact system I’ve used for myself and my private image clients to master their image & style.
"Empowering the Pivot" with Executive Women seeking fulfillment and balance.
7 个月Visibility is key for your professional growth journey. ?
Senior Subject Matter Expert Gender Equality | Gender-Based Analysis Plus (GBA+) | Impact-driven entrepreneur | Lead Consultant The Smart Woman Consulting | Founder eco-luxury brand AFROA Beauty
7 个月Great article Julie Murrell - I love the “trigger warning”. I hope our conversation will help more women.