THE CONSCIOUS
Woman Podcast
#20: Consciously Building Your Visibility with Sally Helgesen
Listen on…
How do women build conscious visibility in their careers without falling into the authenticity trap? Join us for an inspiring conversation with Sally Helgesen, a leading expert on women’s leadership and the acclaimed author of Rising Together and How Women Rise. In this episode, Sally reveals why expertise, connections, and visibility form the trifecta for career success and offers practical advice on strategically enhancing your visibility. Despite common discomforts with self-promotion, she emphasizes that prioritizing recognition for your work is crucial for career advancement.
Throughout this engaging conversation, Bhavna and Sally dive deep into the challenges women face in gaining recognition. They explore the “language of contribution” as a powerful tool to highlight achievements and share actionable strategies for balancing individual accomplishments with team efforts—positioning yourself as a strategic leader while maintaining a collective mindset. Together, they discuss the importance of mission and purpose in building a visible brand and how women and organizations alike can foster a more inclusive culture. Tune in to gain valuable insights on overcoming the confidence-competence conundrum and leading with both mindfulness and compassion.
In this episode, we discuss:
- (00:00) Introduction to the conversation on conscious visibility
- (00:07) Why women should build visibility instead of letting their work speak for itself
- (00:53) The three essential elements of career success: expertise, connections, and visibility
- (02:56) Why women feel undervalued and how visibility prevents disengagement
- (04:16) Overcoming the authenticity trap: self-promotion vs. authenticity
- (05:05) Managing perceptions: navigating the line between visibility and being perceived as pushy
- (07:13) How practicing new behaviors leads to changing perceptions
- (09:05) Breaking internal barriers: the dangers of expecting others to notice your work
- (11:09) Using the language of contribution to make visibility feel more natural
- (14:06) How to balance speaking about your work vs. team contributions
- (16:50) Overcoming discomfort in claiming your achievements
- (19:06) Sally’s personal journey and mission in building a visible brand
- (21:10) The role of organizations in helping women amplify their work
- (23:13) How creating a supportive culture can foster visibility
- (25:21) Confidence vs. competence: Recognizing and balancing the two in leadership
- (27:22) Women redefining leadership and the future of leadership roles
- (29:28) Closing thoughts on the growing influence of women in leadership and fostering inclusive, compassionate leadership
About Our Guest
Sally Helgesen is cited in Forbes as the world’s premier expert on women’s leadership. An internationally best-selling author, speaker, and leadership coach, Sally has been inducted into the Thinkers 50 Hall of Fame for her groundbreaking ideas in leadership. Ranked Number One in leadership by Global Gurus and honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award by the Institute for Management Studies, Sally’s influence is undeniable.
Her latest book, Rising Together: How We Can Bridge Divides and Create a More Inclusive Workplace, provides practical strategies for building effective relationships with those who differ from us. Building on the success of How Women Rise, co-authored with Marshall Goldsmith, Sally continues to illuminate the behaviors that hold women back—and the strategies that help them soar. Her previous works, including The Female Advantage and The Female Vision, have redefined leadership and the language of inclusion in business.
For 35 years, Sally has delivered seminars, keynotes, and master classes around the world. A contributing editor for Strategy + Business magazine and an active member of leading women’s networks, Sally lives in Chatham, NY.
Boost Your Visibility with Shenomics
To build your brand and visibility, consider enrolling in Shenomics’ The Visible Woman Program—an 8-week live, mindfulness-based training program designed to help you achieve greater income, influence, and impact. Join the priority list: https://shenomics.com/visiblewoman-2/
Connect with the Host:
Bhavna Toor, Founder & CEO of Shenomics LinkedIn
Learn more about Shenomics’ leadership programs visit website
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The Conscious Woman Podcast
Expert interviews and intimate conversations with me, your host, Bhavna Toor, all tied together by our mutual passion for living and leading with awareness, purpose, and FUN!
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The Conscious Woman Podcast
Expert interviews, and initimate conversation with me, your host, Bhavna Toor, all tied together by our mutual passion for living and leading with awareness, purpose and FUN!
