You Have To Be Willing To Be Seen

🧶 We may not always have the courage to start the next chapter until someone helps us cut the cord that's holding us back. ✂️

That’s something I’ve been reflecting on after hearing Deborah Liu speak at the MJAA Mentorship Program Women's Leadership Summit 2025. Whether it’s self-doubt, perfectionism, or deeply ingrained expectations, we often hold ourselves back longer than we need to. Sponsors, mentors, coaches and community can help give us that push. But we also need to show up in a way that makes it easier for others to advocate for us by being visible, clear, and intentional. 💡

I was honored to speak on the panel “From Potential to Promotion: Insights from Managers on Sponsorship” with Nina Tseng, Scully Wang and Sean Rice. The reflection also connected with an advice I shared at the panel: Don't wait until you are 100% ready, or you will miss 100% of the opportunities. ⏳ 

Too many of us hold back, wanting to check every box before raising our hand. But what gets rewarded isn’t just doing great work. It’s being seen doing great work. We need to speak up, share our impact, and actively shape how others perceive our leadership. 

You have to be willing to be seen. Show up before you are ready.