The Balanced Leader: Merging Logic and Heart in Women's Leadership

95. Why Brilliant Women Struggle to Advocate for Themselves (Self-Advocacy Isn’t Selfish)

August 12, 2026·24 min
Episode Description from the Publisher

How often do you prioritize “we” over “me”? You’re proud of your team, you care deeply about the people around you, and you want everyone to succeed. But when the “we” becomes so important that you disappear from your own story, your contribution, ambition, and leadership can get overlooked. In this episode, I explore why so many brilliant women struggle with self-advocacy, not because they lack confidence, but because they’ve been conditioned to believe that advocating for themselves is selfish. We’ll look at why women often minimize their accomplishments, confuse humility with invisibility, and redirect recognition instead of owning the value they bring. You’ll learn how to shift from disappearing in the “we” to owning your role in the story. Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://aspire-coaching.co/95Connect with me on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/yanndangMentioned in this episode:FREE LEADERSHIP BRIEF: How to Stop Getting Talked Over in High-Stakes Meetings (Even If You’re the Only Woman in the Room)You said something valuable… and no one acknowledged it. Then someone else repeated it—and suddenly it landed. These aren’t obvious mistakes. They’re small communication patterns that quietly decide how seriously you’re taken before your ideas are even heard. Download the brief and identify the one pattern that’s costing you authority—so you can shift it before your next meeting: https://thebalancedleader.captivate.fm/5waysClick here to download this free leadership brief

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