The confidence to be seen: how to build visibility

When you’re a woman of colour in business or leadership, visibility can feel complicated.
You’re told to ‘put yourself out there,’ but what does that look like in spaces that weren’t always built for us? Spaces where you might already feel overlooked or measured by a different standard.

The truth is, your brilliance deserves to be seen. Not just for you, but for the woman watching, learning, or wondering if they can do it too.

Why we hide: the roots of playing small

For many of us, it starts early. Maybe you were raised to be humble, told not to boast, taught to keep your head down and work hard. Or perhaps you learned that taking up space could draw scrutiny or even risk.

These lessons don’t vanish when we launch businesses or step into boardrooms. They follow us. That’s why so many ambitious women of colour still struggle with self-promotion. Not because we lack skills, but because the cost of being seen has often been high.

When we acknowledge this, we stop blaming ourselves for ‘lacking confidence.’ We see it for what it is: inherited caution. And that means we can start rewriting the script.

Small acts build big confidence

Visibility doesn’t need a viral TED Talk or perfect personal brand. It’s built through small, repeated steps that say: I’m here and my work matters.

Start small and try:

• Sharing a quick business tip on LinkedIn or Instagram.
• Commenting thoughtfully on someone else’s post to show your expertise.
• Introducing yourself at an event, even if your voice shakes.

Each micro-action chips away at the old fear and builds new evidence: you can speak up, show up, and the world keeps turning.

I remember the first time I posted a short video about PRECIOUS on LinkedIn. I felt sick. Would people think I was too much? Boastful?
Instead, I got warm comments, shares, even messages from women thanking me. That’s the power of small steps.

Find your mirrors

It’s hard to build confidence alone. Surround yourself with women who reflect back your possibility, who see your brilliance even when you’re doubting yourself.
Attend events (like PRECIOUS Nights) that celebrate our stories. These spaces remind you you’re not alone, and that being visible isn’t vanity, it’s leadership.

Visibility is bigger than you

Here’s the truth that drives me every day: when you show up, you don’t just claim your own seat.
You make it easier for the next woman to claim hers. Your niece, your colleague, the quiet young Black woman in the back of the room? She sees what’s possible.

Being visible challenges the idea that power, expertise, or excellence only look a certain way. It chips away at barriers we didn’t build, but can help dismantle.

Remember…

Your story and your work matter. And the rooms you walk into will be better because you’re in them.

So start today by sharing one insight, reaching out to one new connection. That’s how confidence grows, step by small, powerful step.