Stop Being the Best-Kept Secret: Books to Move Beyond Self-Doubt to Self-Promotion
I really meant it when I said no new year’s resolutions for me. But, specific resolutions aside, if this is the year you plan to change jobs or ask for a raise or a promotion, or just *be* more, then I want you to keep reading.
A few weeks ago, I was asked to present a workshop on helping women be more comfortable “putting themselves out there”. In searching for a title I came upon this graphic and decided it captured what the real problem is.
The problem is not that women aren’t qualified or haven’t done the work. It is that – like so many women before us – we are just sitting back waiting for someone to notice. And, believe me – it’s not our fault. This waiting to be recognized and rewarded is something that’s conditioned in us way back in elementary school. (Check out this article – Why Girls Beat Boys at School and Lose to Them at the Office).
For this presentation I relied on some of my favorite badass women books. I thought you might like to see the ones I go to time and again in my coaching – and in my own personal and professional development.
I’ve been very vocal about how reading this book set me on a new path. If you are not familiar with my story, you can read it here.
This is a book that ostensibly written for artists and other creatives, but I find the message universally appealing. Pay particular attention to the “Buckets of Lies We Tell Ourselves”.
This book was our January 2021 Badass Women’s Book Club book and it is chock-full of great stories and strategies. I really like the concept of finding your “superpower words” on page 52.
Such a small book – but such a powerful message! Sabotage goes beyond direct actions – it’s the words you say, the times you defer to others.
Choosing to be well-liked too often means choosing to be underappreciated. This book has some great strategies to try to balance the two.
While promoting yourself, what can you do to promote other women? And why does that matter? (“We were tired of watching our male colleagues get priority boarding on the professional rocket ship, while we were on standby in the boarding area.”) “Shine Theory” is a concept created by Ann Friedmann and Aminatou Sow.
If you’re interested in the Stop Being the Best Kept Secret workshop for your team or organization, feel free to reach out to me at hello@badasswomensbookclub.com.