What does it really mean to stand out when you’re the only woman — or the only woman of color — in the room?

For many ambitious women, especially those navigating corporate or male-dominated fields like finance, tech, or consulting, visibility comes with a hidden cost. The pressure to prove, perform, and “fit in” often leads to exhaustion and self-doubt.

But what if visibility wasn’t about being louder — what if it was about being seen for your true value?

That’s the conversation I had with Urmi Hussein, a finance professional, author, and advocate for women in leadership, on this week’s episode of STANDOUT From The Crowd. Urmi’s journey — from battling self-doubt to leading with confidence and purpose — offers powerful lessons for every woman ready to lead authentically in spaces not built for her.

🎧 Listen to the full conversation on : Website | Spotify | Apple Podcasts

Visibility Isn’t Vanity — It’s Strategy

Many women are taught that if you work hard enough, you’ll be noticed. But in reality, the corporate world often rewards visibility as much as competence.

And here’s the truth: If people don’t know who you are, what you do, or the value you bring — your brilliance risks going unseen.

Visibility doesn’t mean showing off or oversharing. It means strategically positioning your expertise so the right people — mentors, decision-makers, allies — recognize your impact. Visibility is not about ego. It’s about access — to opportunities, influence, and growth.

In our conversation, Urmi shared how learning to speak up and show up shifted her trajectory in finance. She stopped waiting for permission to be seen and started taking ownership of her story — a move that transformed how others perceived her leadership.

Redefining Confidence: From Performance to Presence

Confidence isn’t a personality trait; it’s a skill you build through self-awareness and intentional practice.

Urmi’s turning point came when she joined Toastmasters — not to “become extroverted,” but to build the kind of grounded confidence that doesn’t depend on noise.

Confidence, she learned, is not the absence of fear; it’s the decision to show up anyway.

For women of color in particular, this shift is profound. It’s about reclaiming space in rooms that were never designed for you — without diluting your voice or identity to fit in.

STANDOUT Reflection: Ask yourself: Where are you holding back — not because you lack skill, but because you fear how your confidence will be perceived?

Breaking Into Male-Dominated Fields: The Real Playbook

Finance, like many industries, still carries an unspoken bias — leadership looks a certain way, sounds a certain way, and often belongs to a certain type of person. Women, especially women of color, are frequently told to “earn” their seat at the table. But the truth is, the table was never neutral to begin with. To change that, we need to stop trying to blend in — and start standing out strategically.

Urmi’s story is proof that representation isn’t just symbolic; it’s catalytic. When one woman claims her visibility, she opens the door for others to do the same.

Your presence in the room is already progress. Your visibility is not just for you — it’s for every woman watching who hasn’t yet stepped forward.

🎧 Listen to how Urmi navigated this journey and built influence without compromising her identity:
Website | Spotify | Apple Podcasts

Authentic Leadership: Leading Without Losing Yourself

Authentic leadership starts with one question: Who am I when I’m not performing what leadership “should” look like?

For women balancing multiple identities — immigrant, woman of color, professional — authenticity can feel complicated. But it’s also your most powerful asset.

When you lead from your truth, you model a new kind of leadership: one that values empathy, nuance, and depth over dominance and volume.

STANDOUT Without Shrinking

Being visible doesn’t mean being loud. It means being intentional.

The future of leadership belongs to those who bring all of who they are — their identities, their perspectives, their quiet power — to the table unapologetically.

So, to every woman navigating visibility in male-dominated spaces: You don’t need to change who you are to lead. You just need to make who you are seen.

👉 Ready To Build Your Visibility and Influence?

• 📩 Join the STANDOUT Newsletter for weekly resets

• 🎧 Listen to Episode 105 here

• 📚 Order my book STANDOUT: Own Your Voice, Reclaim Your Power and Lead Without Burning Out