As a woman in business today, developing your professional authority and influence is more important than ever for career advancement and closing the gender gap in leadership roles. Studies show that women hold less than 8% of Fortune 500 CEO positions and tend to get paid approximately 80 cents for every dollar earned by men.
To change these statistics, it's essential that women focus on building their credibility, thought leadership, and negotiation leverage in the workplace. When you become known as an expert in your field who confidently voices opinions and adds value, people will start listening and looking to you for guidance. You'll gain the authority needed to achieve promotions, higher compensation, plum assignments, and increased decision-making power.
Become a Subject Matter Expert
The foundation for establishing authority is deep expertise in your chosen field or industry. Seek out opportunities to master your craft through training, certifications, conference attendance, and voracious reading. Join industry associations and committees to stay on top of trends. Follow thought leaders and experts in your field on social media.
Look for chances to solve new challenges or spearhead projects that let you apply expertise. Position yourself as an authority by publishing in-depth articles, speaking at industry events, teaching public workshops, or hosting webinars and talks. Build a website and share your knowledge through blogs, videos, whitepapers, case studies, and Q&As.
Contribute high-value comments in online discussions and LinkedIn Groups to demonstrate insight. Earn prestigious certifications and accolades that validate your expertise.
Speak Up Confidently in Meetings
Research has shown that women's voices are underrepresented in meetings. Don't let yourself get talked over or drowned out. Come prepared with well-researched ideas and make sure you're heard.
Volunteer to present or weigh in early. Claim your time to offer observations, data-driven opinions, and solutions. Draw attention with vocal variety, energy, and body language. Prepare short anecdotes or analogies to win over the room. Follow up assertive communication with collaborative language.
Request feedback and input to open dialogue. Your contributions demonstrate thought leadership and command respect through substance, not just style. Take credit for ideas and don't downgrade statements with qualifiers. Seek allies to amplify and endorse your viewpoints.
Build an Authoritative Online Presence
Develop a personal brand across platforms like your website, LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. Maintain a consistent image and voice. Publish in-depth articles, case studies, videos, and Q&As that provide value. Build a blog to share your knowledge.
Use search optimization with meta descriptions and strategic keywords. Post and engage regularly to stay top of mind. Follow and connect with industry influencers.
Curate and share content from others, highlighting their expertise. Participate in Twitter chats, groups, and hashtags. Use social listening to identify opportunities to establish thought leadership. Collaborate with aligned brands through guest posts, co-created content, and influencer campaigns.
Publish and Share Content
Get your ideas, advice, and expertise out there by blogging, guest posting, and publishing ebooks, white papers, guides, or even books. Start a podcast or YouTube channel. Present at industry conferences and events. Promote your content through social media, email lists, and organic word-of-mouth.
Repurpose content into multiple formats like blog posts into video scripts. Use slides or recordings of talks for new blog articles. Develop an editorial calendar and promotion strategy. Keep experimenting with new content formats and placements.
Visibility as a published author and creator builds recognition and authority. Make content freely shareable and focus on value over self-promotion. Aim for 'help, don't sell'. Let your expertise speak for itself.
Focus on Networking and Relationships
Proactively make connections online and at in-person industry events. Maintain your network through regular communications and invitations. Nurture relationships by sharing valuable introductions, advice, and opportunities. Identify potential mentors, sponsors, collaborators, and promoters. Follow up and express appreciation.
Deepen high-value relationships by discovering mutual interests and developing trust through reciprocity. Seek win-win partnerships that allow you to demonstrate expertise. Promote and endorse others when warranted. Strong relationships lead to more endorsements and advocacy for your skills.
Seek Out Mentors and Sponsors
Connecting with mentors and sponsors provides guidance to help you advance and influential people advocating for your next promotion. Identify managers, senior leaders, clients or experienced connections who can mentor you. Schedule regular 1:1 sessions and come prepared. Build rapport and listen intently to gain their wisdom.
Sponsors are those invested in seeing you succeed because it reflects well on them too. They actively promote your accomplishments, make key introductions, and create opportunities. Identify allies positioned to be sponsors based on mutual goals. Avoid overuse by providing value in return.
Ask for Promotions and Raises
Don’t wait for someone to recognize your worth–ask for promotions, leadership opportunities, new responsibilities and raises. Come prepared by maintaining a brag book that tracks your metrics, achievements, kudos and new capabilities. Quantify your value and back it up with evidence.
Do your research on industry salary ranges and norms. Be confident stating the value you bring and willing to negotiate. Use your expertise and thought leadership to advocate for appropriate titles and compensation. Partner with allies and mentors to endorse your readiness.
Build Authority with Credentials
Pursuing advanced certifications, specialized training, and higher education in your field also builds expertise. Enroll in Master’s programs or executive courses at respected institutions. Complete credential programs and list designations in your email signature, resume and LinkedIn profile.
Share your educational journey and knowledge gained through content. Degrees, diplomas and designations convey deep knowledge authority that boosts professional credibility. Even micro-credentials in specialized niches add expertise.
Practice Self-Promotion
Women often downplay their own accomplishments. Get comfortable with self-promotion by maintaining a brag book that tracks achievements, awards, media features, kudos and big projects. Drop these subtly into conversations to highlight your value. Proactively share wins on social media.
When praised or thanked, don't just say 'no problem' - accept it confidently. Update LinkedIn with new skills, promotions and certifications. Quote positive feedback in your email signature or bio. Write thought leadership articles establishing your expertise. Make accomplishments discoverable.
Be a Mentor and Pay it Forward
Once established, help expand opportunities for other women by formally or informally mentoring newcomers in your industry. Share your knowledge, provide guidance, make introductions, and advocate for emerging talent. Consider joining or starting a women's mentorship program.
Guiding and advocating for the next generation builds your leadership skills. Write recommendation letters for promising women. Promote their content and celebrate their wins. Your mentorship establishes authority and creates future allies.
Developing your authority, influence, and earning potential as a woman in business comes down to confidently owning your expertise. Implement these tips to boost your credibility, amplify your voice, strengthen connections, and advocate for your worth.
What are your best tips for women to build authority in business? Share your thoughts in the comments!
