Business Fit Magazine January 2019 Issue 1 | Page 45

The power of being visible without feeling that I
am bragging has been one of the most difficult
challenges for me as a Latina raised in a small
neighbourhood of the Dominican Republic. The
power to become radiantly visible without feeling
that others are going to judge me or feel threatened
by my achievements or talent. Perhaps it is the
feeling of making a fool of myself and maintaining
the instilled clear intention of being what they call
a submissive “good girl”, one that never attracts
too much attention and is respectful of authority
figures.
A large number of women, specifically within
minority and ethnic groups, or an immigrant
like myself coming from another country, will
have to face this constant struggle of self-
validation, shyness, and the famous imposter
syndrome. Which makes us believe that we
are not deserving of our successes and that all
the good that happens to us is merely a stroke
of luck or a divine coincidence.
Well, times have changed and as a professional
Latina woman who lives with the need to move
up professionally, I dare to own responsibility
for my professional visibility. Hard work is not
always the most effective formula for most of
us Latina women.
Statistics confirm that the vast majority of
people in positions of power promote and
mentor other people who look and relate to
them physically and culturally. This is not a
trend or even planned, it is a natural response
to the normal course of humanity which
prefers to be surrounded by and work with
people who look like them and come from the
same origin, social class, city, etc.
So, my dear amiga, it is your duty and
responsibility to become your own agent of
promotion, to create your own professional
visibility, and strategise a plan. This does not
necessarily mean that you will become a self-
centred and obnoxious human being, you will
only start doing what others have done for
generations: take control of your future and
your career.
It is time to start applying the following
principles to have an easier path into becoming
visible.
“I Don’t Care if You Judge Me”:
If you are a woman who stands out in any
area and are successful, intelligent, attractive,
financially stable, or an authority in your field
or line of work, there is already a very high
possibility that you are the victim of others'
judgments and criticisms.
Therefore, your focus should be your own
personal development and evolution. It's time
to make your presence known. Begin to post
and publish, lose the fear of mentioning who
you are and do so in meetings and social media.
Exhibit your contribution to the company or
your own personal brand as a professional in
your chosen industry or field.
"Calladita,
Beautiful”:
You
Look
More
This popular phrase might be responsible for
the fact that millions of women are not taken
into consideration at the time of promotions,
benefits,
bonuses,
and
professional
opportunities. You must be ready to speak
up and have a voice, that does not necessarily
mean creating conflicts, rather finding out what
requirements are needed for that promotion
they did not give you or why your annual bonus
was lower this year than previous ones. These
questions are part of what we call “Healthy
Noise”, a noise which will give you the power
to be visible and send a clear message that the
least of your concerns are being beautiful or
keeping quiet.
It is your duty and
responsibility to
become your own
agent of promotion
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