Marketing Is Leadership. No, Really

And don't tell me you're "not a marketing person"

I keep seeing this play out—smart, accomplished women downplaying their expertise, hesitating to put themselves out there, and approaching marketing like an electric fence.

But hear me out — marketing isn’t just about visibility.

It’s about leadership.

I learned this the hard way and it took me a long time to wake up.

For years, I fought my way to the table—whether in television, higher ed, or running my own business. And nine times out of ten, once I was at the table, I was seen as pushy. Inflexible. Not deferential enough. Every idea I put forward had to be wrapped in some version of:

"I’m sure you’ve all thought of this already, but…"
"This is probably off-topic, but…"

I’d watch men—colleagues, bosses, even subordinates—say the same thing with no preamble, no softening, no built-in quasi-apology. And they were taken seriously. It took me years to stop undercutting myself before I even started speaking. Years to realize that being seen—being recognized as someone with authority—wasn’t about waiting my turn or hoping to be noticed.

It was about owning my expertise and making damn sure people knew I had something to say.

The women you admire—the ones who land the big clients, get the media calls, secure funding, or command rooms? They’re not waiting to be “discovered.” They’re leading. They’re shaping the conversation.

Marketing is how you:
📢 Get clear on what you offer and why it matters.
📢 Take control of your own story instead of letting others define it for you.
📢 Make sure your work—your business, your expertise, your impact—reaches the right people.

This isn’t about being flashy or pushy. It’s about being known for the right reasons.

The people who succeed aren’t necessarily the best at what they do—they’re the ones who make sure the world knows what they do.

Look at these women in action:
✨ The consultant who doesn’t just wait for referrals but publishes smart, useful content on LinkedIn—positioning herself as the go-to expert in her niche.
✨ The nonprofit leader who doesn’t just write grant proposals but builds a compelling brand narrative—so funders see her org as an investment, not a donation.
✨ The small business owner who doesn’t just rely on word-of-mouth but strategically markets her expertise—turning her service into a category leader.
✨ The executive who isn’t just great at her job but actively builds thought leadership—getting invited to panels, quoted in articles, and recruited for bigger roles.

None of this happens by accident. It happens because they decided to show up.

I believe that all women have an inherent capacity to lead — not by fitting into someone else’s definition of leadership, but by embracing their own. Leadership isn’t about a title or a podium; it’s about clarity, authenticity, and the courage to stand by your vision. It’s about owning your voice, defining your value, and communicating it clearly and confidently.

So what’s stopping you? And don’t tell me you’re “not a marketing person.” If you’re running a business, leading an organization, or building your reputation, you already are.

It’s time to own it.

Lead with clarity. Market with purpose. Make your mark.

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