http://www.amandamillerlittlejohn.com

Recently, my friend, photographer and Branding Box client Natarsha Wright shared an interview on a local women's site about me. I thought the interview turned out pretty well, particularly one of the sections.

In it, I shared my thoughts on modesty - and how the misguided idea that self-promotion is shameful and (false) modesty is virtuous has reached epidemic proportions. This is a concept that I've been pondering for several months now, as I'm in personal branding it's my job to help my clients see themselves clearly, step out of the shadows and boldly proclaim their gifts.

From the interview:

"What good is clarity if you’re not willing to put yourself out there? I like to tell people that there is no shame in self-promotion – because if you don’t tell the world what you’re about, how will they know? I’ve noticed that especially among women, there is a growing epidemic of modesty [that is hindering career growth] – the world is infected with it.

It pains me when I meet an amazing, accomplished, inspiring woman who is hiding behind her boss or hiding behind modesty – not sharing her brand of amazing with the world. At the end of the day it’s a net loss for women because if we don’t step up to talk about what we are doing and how we’re making it all happen, the women leaders of tomorrow are missing out on an entire generation of role models. Just think if every unnecessarily modest woman that you know was intentional about building her personal branding platform by speaking, writing articles and getting the word out there – just imagine how much more inspired and empowered we as women would be?

By having other women who aren’t afraid to own their brilliance, package their genius and share their unique contribution with the world, collectively we’d be infinitely more powerful."

What about you? Do you suffer from modesty? If so, what do you think it has it cost you in your career or business?

*editing by Audrey Adams, The Adams Report