If you’re a leader who’s made it to the top by focusing on results rather than recognition, you might find the idea of self-promotion a bit uncomfortable. After all, your work should speak for itself, right? But here’s the reality check: it’s not just about what you’ve achieved—it’s also about how you’re perceived. Visibility isn’t just a nice-to-have; it’s a strategic tool that can amplify your influence, attract opportunities, and solidify your legacy.
Some might feel that visibility is just about one’s ego— in reality, it’s a form of currency that leaders must make use of.
- Tanja Sternbauer, co-founder of the female factor
the numbers don’t lie
According to a 2023 survey by Edelman, 76% of business leaders say that maintaining a strong personal brand is critical for professional success. Yet, surprisingly, the same survey found that 44% of C-level executives admitted to neglecting their visibility efforts in favour of focusing solely on their internal roles. This is a missed opportunity, especially considering that leaders with a strong public profile are 50% more likely to attract high-impact business opportunities, according to LinkedIn’s 2022 Talent Trends report.
A study published by Harvard Business School found that companies led by highly visible CEOs have a 12% higher market valuation on average. Why? Because visibility doesn’t just benefit the leader—it positively impacts the entire organization by attracting talent, investors, and partners who are drawn to recognized, influential leadership.
attracting the best opportunities
Visibility is also about opportunity. The most exciting and high-impact opportunities often come to those who are top-of-mind. McKinsey’s research shows that highly visible leaders are 70% more likely to be approached for new ventures, board positions, and partnerships than their less-visible peers. This is not just about personal gain—it’s about expanding your influence and impact on a global scale.
how to make the most out of your brand
Once you understand the value of being visible, it’s important to ensure your brand reflects who you really are. It’s not just about getting noticed—it’s about being genuine. Your brand should align with your values and how you interact with others. Here’s how to make sure your brand works for you:
1. start with your values and topics that interest you
The foundation of a strong personal brand is alignment. Identify the values that drive you and the topics you’re passionate about. Ensure that everything you do—whether it’s speaking at events, posting online, or building relationships—reflects these core principles.
2. turn your vulnerabilities into visibility
It might take a little courage to put yourself out there fully, but with all the AI-generated content, people are really craving realness. It’s not about having a perfectly polished image anymore. Share what’s actually happening (respecting privacy and data ofc) —whether it’s insights into the market, honest leadership stories, or just those quick thoughts you note down on LinkedIn or X. Those raw, unfiltered moments are what people connect with the most.
3. lead conversations that others avoid
This might go against what we’ve been taught growing up, but bringing up uncomfortable topics can actually work in your favour. Just like with vulnerability, sharing your honest opinions—especially when they’re not the popular ones—can really set your personal brand apart. I’m not suggesting you stir things up just for the sake of it, but if you have a thought that’s a bit different, it’s worth sharing. You might be surprised how often that leads to meaningful conversations and even new business opportunities.
4. master the art of micro-moments
Your brand isn’t just about the big stuff—it’s in every little interaction, whether it’s at work or beyond. How quickly you reply to an email, the tone you use in a comment, whether you remember someone’s name, or how you treat service staff—these all say something about who you are. If your brand is built on certain values, make sure those values show up in everything you do. It’s about being real and consistent, so your brand truly reflects who you are, not just something you try to project.
5. build your cheerleader group
Surround yourself with a mix of people who can really help you grow—advisors who already have strong personal brands and can hold you accountable, individuals from different industries to keep your perspectives diverse and your own team members cheering you on. Make sure you have people around you who will support you, celebrate your wins, and offer valuable insights when you need them.
choose the right channels
The good news is: You don’t need to do it all! Once you have an understanding of how you can strengthen your personal brand, we’d recommend just picking one channel to start with.
build a personal network through real relationships
As the saying goes, “It’s not what you know, it’s who you know.” (I’d slightly disagree here, because knowing your stuff is important too, but let’s focus on who for now!) Staying relevant means connecting with other leaders, whether they’re in your industry or at the same level. As part of our Leaders Circle, for example, we offer tailored introductions to other decision-makers and host events designed to help you connect with the right people. Building these relationships keeps you in the loop and opens up opportunities that might not come your way otherwise.
use digital platforms that reflect your style
Every platform has its own rules and strategies, depending on your goals, audience, and preferences. Whether it’s sharing insights on LinkedIn, telling your story visually on Instagram, or joining conversations on X, it’s about finding what feels natural to you. (I personally do not see myself talking into the camera every day for example, so Instagram Stories or Reels are not my vibe :D) A good way to start is by setting a trial period where you commit to exploring one platform, testing the waters, and seeing what works best for you, 1-3 months are a good start to see how you feel about it.
building a speaker's career
Speaking is a great way to share your ideas and connect with others, and it naturally opens up more opportunities—whether that’s more speaking gigs, media attention, or collaborations. There are plenty of communities and event organisers looking for speakers with a great story or specific expertise to share with their audience. Even if you’re not getting paid at first, it’s worth it for the boost it gives to your brand.
my personal tip: host events or start your own communities
Take the lead by hosting focused events or communities. When you’re the one driving these gatherings, people start to associate you with the topics and values you care about. It’s a powerful way to build your network—people will know you and remember you for the initiatives you start or support. When I was starting out in my career, I began by volunteering at events and communities, and eventually, I started my own. While I wasn’t consciously doing it just to build a network, that’s exactly what happened.
Now, does building your brand still make you feel uncomfortable?
Even if it does, you can see that getting started isn’t that hard. It’s all about taking small, manageable steps and staying true to who you are. Feel free to reach out if you want to connect about building your personal brand—I’d love to share more tips with you! :)
how to build your speaker brand
The #1 request I hear from executives in our leaders circle is, "How can I get more visibility? I want to speak at more events." Speaking, for me, is a powerful way to amplify my message and reach more people, which in turn drives real change. That’s what motivated me to pursue speaking opportunities.
I first spoke at TEDx about gender diversity in companies, and since then, I’ve been regularly invited to conferences and corporate events as a keynote speaker or panelist—most of them paid engagements. And yes, getting paid is important, because it takes significant time and effort to prepare for these talks.
Looking back, here’s what helped me become a speaker, even without prior experience or a big name in the industry:
1. stick to one message and talk about it all the time: For me, it was (and still is) the importance of diversity in business. Consistency is key—when people think of you, they should immediately associate you with your core message.
2. ask to speak at events: Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there. And don’t forget, early on, unpaid opportunities can be incredibly valuable for gaining experience and building your profile.
3. amplify your voice online: I always share my speaking engagements on LinkedIn, which not only increases my visibility but also benefits the event host. It’s a win-win.
4. surround yourself with high-quality, well-known people: Being in the right circles can open doors and introduce you to opportunities that wouldn’t have come your way otherwise.
At the female factor, we collaborate with communities, corporates, media, and event providers to get more diverse voices on stages. Part of our leaders circle offering is to help you build a curated speaker profile and secure speaking gigs.
If you’re interested in discussing this more, feel free to get in touch—I’d love to exchange ideas on how you can boost your visibility through speaking.
Feel free to watch my TEDx talk here or get in touch if you’d like me to speak at one of our events: employer.femalefactor.global/tedx-talk
About Mahdis
Mahdis’ TEDx talk about diversity in business has over 50,000 views. She regularly shares her insights on the importance of diverse leadership on LinkedIn, reaching 100,000 people yearly.