Why is Self-Promotion so hard for women?

I recently attended a Women in Government Relations dinner event in Washington, DC. The group was a small and powerful mix of successful women in politics and government affairs. As we mingled it struck me that even the most successful women still have doubts about their choices, the risks they do or don’t take and managing the delicate balance of self-promotion both within their internal organization and externally. 

Meredith Shue, Senior Manager of CEO Communications at Deloitte, served as moderator and asked some very thoughtful questions to Nancy Dorn, VP of Government Relations for GE, and Laura Cox Kaplan, Member of the Board of Directors, CoStar Group (previously Principal-in-Charge of U.S. Government, Regulatory Affairs & Public Policy, PricewaterhouseCoopers, LLP). What struck me about Nancy and Laura most is that they have taken strategic and thoughtful risks—stepping up their career and influence to the next level while balancing family and social obligations, as well as giving back. 

This got me thinking about myself and how poor of a job I do at articulating the many successes I have had in helping businesses and business organizations fight (and win!) tough legislative or political battles through the use of data, digital advertising and analytics. I am so proud to have been a part of dozens of successful and hard fought campaigns across a wide swath of issues. I drive revenue within my organization by being an expert at understanding, reaching and engaging pro-business voters and influencers across digital channels. I partner with clients to help them develop strategy in identifying key voting blocs based on their values, issues and political beliefs, inform the online ad placement strategy, build tactical online media plans, track and measure engagement. It is a field that is constantly changing and evolving. The need, each and every political cycle, to be on top of trends and shifts in ad technology, paid digital strategies and analytics to impact winning outcomes is critical. And I have done this very well over the years, but I often don’t talk about these successes.

 As I looked around at my table, I realized that I was likely not alone. There were probably over a dozen equally, if not more, successful women at this event! But I walked away without hearing some of the many other success stories from the business women around me—and it left me wanting to hear more. I am inspired by other people’s successes and want to encourage women as a cohort to share our stories and successes with one another. I was so inspired to hear Nancy’s and Laura’s stories at the event. As women, we need to share our experiences to inspire each other—and be proud and confident to “self-promote” ourselves.