Confidence is not the same as competence. Remember, the “con” in “con man” refers to confidence. While confidence can be persuasive, it can also stifle collaboration and idea-sharing. Instead of viewing self-doubt as a weakness, reframe it as a strength—one that fosters listening, learning, and idea generation.

Often marketers serve as translators between technical teams and general audiences. Chances are, if you are struggling to understand a technical message, it won’t resonate with a general audience either. Being upfront about not understanding technical details allows us to draw out the essential ideas and forces technical staff to articulate their contributions in language that client decision-makers understand.

Instead of assuming your contributions will be recognized, articulate them clearly and repeatedly. That might take the form of a comment during a leadership meeting, or formal documentation like a short report on the impact of a campaign. To combat my humble tendency to underplay my contributions, I draft and practice sentences that articulate the value of my work. Putting my role and value down on paper makes it easier to vocalize later. As an example, I might say, “The marketing department is responsible for translating our firm’s work into messages that resonate with talent and clients. We repackaged our sustainability action plan for a general audience, shared it on our website, and amplified it on social media. According to Google Analytics, traffic to our sustainability webpage increased by 35%.” By drafting language in advance, I’m more prepared to emphasize my value clearly.

As marketers we know messages need to be repeated to be heard, and that applies to interpersonal communication as well. Resist the assumption that saying it once means someone internalized it. Reiterate your contributions across different audiences and platforms. Think of it as a marketing campaign.

My MBA coursework spanned topics from supply chain to negotiation, but more important than the knowledge I absorbed was the openness to learning I cultivated. Academia fosters an expectation of listening, questioning, and evolving perspectives. Applying this same openness in the workplace enables professionals to expand their thinking and embrace innovation.

Leadership is not about abandoning humility but rather embracing it as a strength. By applying these lessons, marketers can position themselves as vital firm leaders. Champion the idea that humility and leadership are not oppositional cross-currents; they are powerful, complementary forces that can be harnessed to propel your career forward.