Are You Showing Up As A Silhouette Of A Man?

You may have seen the recent Forbes Top Innovative Leaders list that includes 99 men and 1 woman or heard about the backlash. If not, here’s some background .

There is a lot to be addressed here from gender equality to unconscious bias to flawed methodology. But I want to focus on VISIBILITY!

The only woman was #75 Barbara Rentler, CEO of Ross Stores.

And her listed photo was a silhouette of a man.

What?!

Exactly, but before you put this all on Forbes. As a former journalist, I was curious. How could this happen? Where was their PR dept? Couldn’t they get a photo anywhere?

While I can’t say exactly what happened, it turns out she’s doesn’t like the spotlight and has refused to provide her headshot before. While I respect her privacy, I believe part of being a leader is showing up, taking a stand for who you are, what you believe in and being seen so others can envision what is possible.

How do you lead if you are hiding?

And what type of culture have we created that even when we are successful, we still feel the need to hide out?

Or that a powerful woman like her doesn’t want to stand out or shine, even if she deserves it. How do we get to the core of this issue and create real change?

She is an “only”. The only women on that list, but I believe there is power in that. But only if you show up and step up.

I shared My 5 Principles of “The Power Of The Only” a few months ago. I’m exploring how we turn what some would consider a barrier into a strength. Stay tuned for a podcast coming soon!

Own your power-Know who you are, what you stand for and know you belong there. You have everything you need inside you.
Own your voice-You need to speak up, stand up and share your opinions with certainty, without need for validation.
See being “The Only” as a privilege, not a burden.-No, you don’t stand for everyone and yes, it’s not your sole responsibility. But right now you have the opportunity, the opportunity to share, to educate, to enlighten, and open up the window for understanding and take a seat at the table. It’s a privilege. Do not waste your gift.
Communicate in a way others can hear you. Know your audience, know what you want, listen with an open heart and integrate. Once they can see you and trust you, then they can really hear you.
Come from a place of abundance, not scarcity. Yes, you are “the only” right now and the way to grow and succeed is not to maintain your status/power by keeping other only’s out. But to plant seeds, bring others in, and carve a new path for others to follow.

This story is an example of #3-See being “The Only” as a privilege, not a burden. Barbara Rentler has taken a seat at the table. While she may not see it as a burden, she has chosen to stay out of the spotlight.

And I can’t speak for her, but I can speak for me. Visibility matters. It is an opportunity to create real change.

Every since I was little I wanted to be like Connie Chung-one of the only Asian women on TV when I was growing up and the 1st woman to Co-Anchor the CBS Evening News. I remember watching her on TV, and thinking “Wow! ,someone like me.” She created possibility for me.

So you showing up isn’t about fame, it isn’t just about you either. It’s about your message, it’s about your gift, it’s about what you represent.

“When you break through your barriers and see what is possible for yourself. You give others the gift of seeing what is possible for them.” -@AngelaCheeTV

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That is why I am so passionate about helping women leaders own their voice and their power!

Stop hiding. The time is now.

I’ve been playing small too. I’ve been wanting to put together a YOU, Amplified! Women event for a while now. But I keep waiting and waiting until the right time. I’ve been busy with my corporate and private clients. But it’s time to come together.

How would you would like to feel more confident, clear and connected when you speak about you and your business? How would you like to gain more credibility and more exposure and be seen as THE go-to expert in your field? How would you like to break through your fears and finally yes to those speaking opportunities or hit record on that video camera? Or finally, do that Facebook live and know what to say and how to say it?

The time is now. Time to answer the call. Stop being a silhouette!

Join me for my

YOU, Amplified! On-Camera Group Intensive and One Day VIP Retreat.

in November/December.

Here's to you and your voice,