Welcome to week 3 of the 5-week VP-Ready challenge. So far, we’ve uncovered the foundations of VP success, and learned what self-promotion is all about.
Week 1:Insights to craft your VP roadmap
Week 2: Mastering the Art of Self-Promotion without the cringe Today, we’re tackling a topic that can feel intimidating for many ambitious leaders: building relationships with senior leaders and creating strategic visibility. If networking feels uncomfortable or if you’ve ever hesitated to speak up in front of senior stakeholders, keep reading. The Pitfall: Avoiding Networking and Senior StakeholdersFor many of us, networking feels awkward and forced, especially when it involves senior leaders. You may feel intimidated speaking with executives who seem worlds ahead in their career—or worry you’ll say the wrong thing.
So instead of leaning into these conversations, you:
- Stick to people at your level where it feels safer.
- Avoid networking because you “don’t know what to say.”
- Hope your work will be enough to get noticed.
This is what's really happening: Your fear of discomfort is costing you opportunities. The people who approve promotions need to know who you are, what you bring to the table, and why you’re ready for the next level. If they don’t, you’ll continue to be overlooked—no matter how hard you work. Why Strategic Visibility Is a Game-ChangerI know it can feel intimidating to speak with senior leaders, but the reality is that at the executive level you need social proof to get promoted. The Center for Talent Innovation confirms that employees who have a sponsor are 23% more likely to advance in their careers compared to those without a sponsor. Here’s why it matters: 1. It’s an AcceleratorInstead of doing all the hard work of selling yourself on your own, you enlist the help of others to advocate for you. When senior leaders champion your potential, doors open faster than you could ever push them alone. 2. It Compounds in ImpactRelationships aren’t just transactional—they’re long-term investments. A single relationship with the right leader can create opportunities that serve you for years, even across companies. This is one of the smartest ways to leverage your time. 3. It Gives You Social ProofWhen a senior leader publicly vouches for you, it’s like getting a five-star review for your leadership. Social proof reassures decision-makers that promoting you is a smart, low-risk choice. My favorite way of doing this is by gaining strategic visibility.Targeting the right stakeholders, at the right time, with the right type of value. | 
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