This year, as SSPI-WISE got busy doing the work of engaging the women of the industry, profile-raising efforts quickly emerged as a need for women. Brilliant and talented women abound in this industry, but we don’t always see them, or know who they are. Thus, the #SSPIWISEWORDS campaign was conceived, introducing some of these amazing women to the industry at-large. You’d think that this campaign would be immensely popular with so many women signing up that we had too many to handle! Alas, this was not the case. Perhaps because they are accustomed to getting work done with little fanfare, it has proven challenging to get women to step forward. I can relate. Self-promotion, as opposed to self-aggrandizement, is a skill – a soft skill needed for professional development. Yet there are plenty of cultural messages that women receive in a variety of ways and from multiple sources that discourage us from developing this skill. And so, there’s so much to learn just in making the effort! What should I say? How should I look? What’s the right approach? The journey is just as important as the final product. And the final products have been outstanding. Have a look!