As women in leadership, sometimes we hope our hard work will simply "speak for itself." What's more, given that women are taught to be collaborative and give others creidt, self-promotion can, well, give us the "ick". Seriously - according to a Southpaw Insights study, 40% of women would rather quit social media for a week than talk about themselves in public, and 27% of women would prefer to visit the dentist (the DENTIST!) than talk about themselves in public.
Unfortunately, the data tells a different story as to the importance of self-promotion. Research shows anywhere from a 33-46% gender gap in self-promotion, even when performance is identical. While men are often socialized to broadcast their wins, women frequently navigate a "likability trap"—balancing between likability and competence, while fearing that owning their achievements will come across as arrogant or boastful.
Join Harvard MBA and Career Wellness Expert Kelly Owens for a free, interactive working session - just in time for Women's History month! - to reframe self-promotion from a cringe-inducing "brag" to must-have self-advocacy. We will examine the cultural hurdles that make it harder for women to self-promote, and identify concrete ideas for building a personal brand that feels authentic, not forced.
After this interactive working session, you’ll walk away with:
- Your Self-Promotion "Yeah, But I" List - Identify exactly why it's hard for you to self promote
- Your "Visibility Audit": Evaluate the strength of your personal brand - and where you need to raise your profile
- Self-Advocacy Checklist: Leave with concrete strategies and ideas to communicate your impact
- Ideas for Securing Support: How to build a "Squad of Champions" who can promote your brand, amplify your voice and push you out of your comfort zone.
