Work In Progress

Welcome to Work In Progress, our member-only newsletter where people we admire turn their specialist knowledge and leadership wisdom into practical, accessible advice that you can tap into.

Today, we feature insights from Gry Stene, a speaker, advisor and author whose expertise lies at the intersection of leadership, innovation and inclusion. Gry shares how to increase your own visibility at work in a way that uplifts others.

Hi ,

Women don’t lack confidence. They lack systems that don’t punish visibility.

In many workplaces, being seen is still risky. Ambition is associated with arrogance. Assertiveness is read as self-promotion. If you want to avoid the penalties that come with that, you learn to keep your head down and hope your work will speak for itself.

Often, it doesn’t.

That’s not a personal failing. It’s what happens when a system values women’s palatability over their capability.

The good news is that singing your own praises isn’t the only way to get recognised. There are alternative methods of making yourself visible that will benefit others as well as yourself. Here are a few examples:

1. Seek alignment, not performance
   Visibility can be particularly uncomfortable when you feel like you’re presenting yourself in a way that doesn’t reflect who you are.
   
   I use the DREAM Compass to check for alignment before increasing visibility. It helps you imagine what’s possible, refine your direction, recognise your strengths and speak with honesty rather than excessive cushioning.
   
   

2. Stand alongside others
   Increasing visibility is often framed as an individual act, but it’s most effective when done collectively. Being seen becomes safer when women amplify and make space for each other’s voices.
   
   So, next time you’re in a meeting, pay attention to who hasn’t been heard yet. Use your voice to bring them in, or back them up. They’ll be more likely to do the same for you in return, which is how you can build a culture of mutual support.
   
   

3. Respond in the moment
   Few things shut women down faster than being interrupted or having an idea taken. Silence is understandable, but it often reinforces the pattern.
   
   Small, immediate responses like, “That’s a valid point, which I was about to come to,” or simply “I’d like to finish my thought,” can protect your visibility without escalating the situation.
   
   

4. Look beyond your organisation
   Building public visibility through speaking and writing opportunities can strengthen your organisation’s reputation as well as your own leadership profile.
   
   Try sharing one perspective this month. It could be a social media post, an article you submit to a publication, or another method of communicating your insights to others. Once you make a start, try to build it into a habit – it gets easier the more you do it.

Visibility isn’t about being louder or shinier.

It’s about being seen, credited and valued – together.

Kindest,
Gry