ACTSHEON™: Speak Up—Why Women in Leadership Must Own Their Voices

Hey, Friend,

Did you know there’s a quiet revolution happening in boardrooms, brainstorms, and business pitches everywhere? Yup! It’s being led by women who are done staying quiet. For too long, the narrative has been that if we work hard, keep our heads down, and remain humble, the right people will notice and reward us. But the truth is, silence rarely earns the spotlight.

And in leadership, visibility matters.

Women are stepping up, and more importantly—speaking up. Whether it’s advocating for a promotion, contributing boldly in a high-stakes meeting, or seizing a game-changing business opportunity, we are redefining what it means to be both powerful and authentic.

Yet, too often, we still battle an invisible tension between humility and self-promotion.

Let’s get one thing clear: celebrating your achievements isn’t arrogance. It’s strategy.

And it’s time we normalize it.

The Art of Speaking Up in Your Career

You’ve done the work. You’ve delivered results. You’ve mentored, built teams, hit targets—and yet, someone else gets the recognition, or worse, the opportunity you’ve been preparing for.

Why?

Because too often, we assume our work will speak for itself. And while quality matters, it’s not the only currency in professional growth.

Speaking up for a promotion isn’t just about saying, “I want it.” It’s about laying out your impact, your vision, and your readiness. It’s showing your leaders that you’re not only capable but confident enough to step into greater responsibility. It’s storytelling—with data, with results, with clarity—and positioning yourself as the answer to the business’s next challenge.

This doesn’t mean you need to change who you are or mimic styles that don’t feel authentic. It means trusting that you can lead in a way that’s both assertive and aligned with your values. It means allowing your voice to carry the weight of your achievements and intentions.

The world needs your leadership—but first, you need to claim it.

Owning the Room: Meetings as a Stage for Visibility

Let’s be honest: meetings can feel like political minefields. Dominated by louder voices, interrupted by quick opinions, or subtly steered away from your contributions. And still, they are one of the most visible platforms to showcase your thinking and leadership.

It’s not just about “saying something”—it’s about saying the right thing with confidence. Preparation helps, but so does presence. Don’t downplay your ideas with disclaimers like, “This might be a silly suggestion…” or “I’m not sure if this makes sense…”

Instead, speak as though your thoughts are worth hearing—because they are.

And when someone echoes your idea without giving you credit? Reclaim it gracefully. “I’m glad that point resonated. As I mentioned earlier…”

Simple. Firm. Professional. The more you assert your value in the room, the more others will begin to recognize and respect it.

The Business of You: Marketing Your Brilliance

In business, perception is often as powerful as performance. And while men are traditionally more conditioned to sell themselves with ease, women have often been socialized to play it safe. To wait for an invitation. To avoid “bragging.” But here’s the truth: you are a brand. And your ability to articulate your strengths, your story, and your vision is directly tied to your growth.

Marketing yourself isn’t just for entrepreneurs—it’s essential at every level of leadership. It’s how people understand what you bring to the table and why they should partner with you, promote you, or invest in your ideas. Whether it’s your LinkedIn profile, your elevator pitch, or how you introduce yourself in a room full of decision-makers, own the narrative.

This doesn’t mean creating a persona. It means curating your message. What do you want to be known for? What results have you delivered? How do people experience your leadership? These aren’t vanity questions—they’re strategic ones. Your career will not advance on merit alone. It will advance because you were intentional about being seen.

Standing Up in Life, Not Just Work

The need to speak up doesn’t end at the office door. It extends into our personal lives, our boundaries, our wellness, and our relationships. Leadership is holistic—and when we practice self-advocacy in one area, it strengthens our voice in all others.

Standing up for yourself in everyday life is a declaration of worth. Saying no without apology. Asking for what you need. Challenging the narratives that tell you to shrink or settle. When you speak up, you’re not just protecting your time and energy—you’re modeling for others what’s possible when we honor ourselves.

Women who lead well at work but remain silent in their personal lives eventually hit a ceiling—not because of skill, but because of misalignment. Your voice deserves to be heard in every room you enter. That includes your home, your community, your friendships, and your own inner dialogue.

Overcoming Imposter Syndrome Through Personal Growth

And then there’s that lingering voice. The one that whispers, “Who do you think you are?”

Imposter syndrome is the shadow that shows up when you’re on the edge of evolution. It convinces you that your success is luck, that you’re not ready, or that you’ll be found out.

But here’s the beautiful truth: imposter syndrome is not a reflection of your inadequacy. It’s a signal of your growth.

Here’s how you move through it:

1. Name it.

When the voice of doubt creeps in, don’t ignore it. Identify it for what it is—an outdated mental pattern, not a truth.

2.  Reframe it.

Instead of viewing imposter feelings as a flaw, recognize them as evidence that you’re expanding. You’re in new territory—and that’s where growth happens.

3.  Track your wins.

Keep a success journal or digital folder with your achievements, testimonials, and milestones. When self-doubt hits, go to the data.

4.  Find your people.

Surround yourself with mentors, peers, and allies who reflect your worth back to you when you forget.

5.  Invest in yourself.

Whether it’s a coach, a course, a conference, or a new challenge—continual learning boosts confidence and clarity. Growth is the antidote to stagnation.

Your Call to ACTSHEON™

Your voice is a catalyst. If there’s one thing I want you to take from this, it’s that your voice is more powerful than you know. Every time you speak up—for yourself, for your ideas, for your future—you break an old pattern. You pave a path not just for yourself, but for the women who will follow behind you.

Being humble has its place—but so does being visible. So does being bold. So does walking into a room, owning your story, and asking for what you’ve earned. Advancement doesn’t just go to the qualified—it goes to the visible, the vocal, and the self-assured.

So speak up. Shine unapologetically. And let the world see just how capable you’ve always been.

What action will you take today?