A day doesn't go by that I don't hear from a woman in business who tells me that she feels as though she is going it alone. She senses that she is invisible at work and that her career reputation is undistinguished. Her question is: how can I make a name for myself at work and in my field? My answer is - learn to consistently plant seeds and then continue to feed them. Let me explain.

Culturally, women are brought up to focus their attention on how they look rather than on what they say. Yes, this is true even in 2015. So don't fool yourself that the work that we have done to empower women means that a woman's looks don't matter. The proof is all around us! Anyway, my point is that looking good, or looking professional, or looking competent, or looking the part does not guarantee that when an opportunity arises that anyone - male or female - will think of you for the opening. Every woman in business must be vigilant to make it known to others (plant seeds) about her personal growth plan or business plan. In other words, if a corporate woman has her eye on a particular advancement at her company, she must let people all around her know of her ambitions.

Now, you may be saying to yourself, well, of course, she must tell her boss/manager that she wants to do whatever it takes to move ahead in her career, but spreading the idea of her ambitions may be seen as being too aggressive or even pushy. The fact is it is quite the contrary. I spend a lot of my time talking with CEOs about why they don't promote women more often or have them at the top in their companies. One of the reasons I hear often is that they are unaware that any particular woman is interested in the climb and therefore interpret that to mean that the women in their company are happy with greater flexibility in middle management positions. Really? I say. But, have you asked them? The answer is always, 'if they truly are looking to be promoted they should be doing everything in their power to make it known." Of course, I know that these women we are talking about are most likely working like dogs trying to prove their worth to the company and their desire to get ahead. But, the fact is, they don't tell anyone what they want. Or, better said, they don't tell the RIGHT person what they want so they can advance.

So, let me explain about planting seeds. This is something I have done all my life in business. Whether you a woman working in corporate America, in education, in technology, in healthcare or even as a woman entrepreneur every day you must spend time telling people what your plan for the future is. For example, as an entrepreneur in sales I would often say to a potential future customer, 'someday you will want to buy from me', letting him know that he should keep watching me and my company's progress. Or, as a woman in business working in the front office, I would say to the CEO, 'I look forward to the day that I can move into a management role and help you grow this business'. Now, tell me, do either of these phrases sound strange or scary to you? Do you understand how each statement is planting a seed for future growth?

Most people are not clairvoyant. In other words, most people have no idea what you want for yourself. They are too busy thinking about what they want for themselves and quite honestly don't give you a moment's thought unless you voice it. Once you have planted seeds they will not grow without being fed. Yes, you can't just tell people that you want this or that and expect them to remember it when the opportunity arises. Feeding your seeds means to cleverly remind the right people of your future goal. Of course, you can't tell the CEO every day that you want his or her assistant's job, but you can once in a while share how you can add value in your own position. In the case of women entrepreneurs and feeding your seeds, it is important to make sure and check in regularly with the customers you want to do business with eventually and let them know you are alive and kicking and growing your business. People like to be with winners, but they won't know that you are winning unless you tell them.

I know that what I am telling you in this blog is difficult for many women and some men. Planting seeds means being clear about what you want and telling people that you plan to get there with hard work and determination. But, I promise if you consistently let the people around you know where you want to go they will be more likely to help you get there.