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THE CODE
The 2026 Speaker Vision: Designing Your Visibility Goals for the Year Ahead.
Happy almost-New Year! With 2025 winding down on this December 30th, it's the perfect time to look ahead and get intentional. If you're a woman in tech or science who's ever felt your expertise gets overlooked—ideas ignored in meetings, contributions downplayed, or opportunities slipping away—this edition is for you. Welcome to "The 2026 Speaking Vision: Designing Your Visibility Goals for the Year Ahead." We're not waiting for permission or perfect conditions; we're designing the visibility we deserve, step by strategic step.
Keeping it real
Let's keep it real: as women in these fields, we often face internal and external barriers that keep us playing small. Imposter syndrome whispers we're not "expert enough." We hesitate to pitch ideas, worried they aren't groundbreaking. Confidence dips when feedback is scarce or harsh. Networks feel hard to build, and the fear of being judged or dismissed on stage looms large. These aren't minor inconveniences—they stall promotions, limit influence, slow career growth, and leave us frustrated, watching opportunities pass by. But 2026? It can change that. By crafting a clear speaking vision now, you're paving the way to being seen as the authority you are: commanding stages with confidence, unlocking thought leadership, earning promotions, and finally feeling your voice carries weight.
Clarity + Ownership
Designing this vision starts with clarity and ownership. Forget vague resolutions like "speak more." Paint a vivid picture: Which conferences, panels, or podcasts light you up? Imagine the ripple effects—peers seeking your input, new collaborations forming, that next-level role opening up. Make it yours. Your unique perspective—whether it's navigating complex systems, innovating under constraints, or bridging tech with real-world impact—is your superpower. Speaking amplifies it.
Audit where you stand today. Reflect on 2025: What speaking moments did you have, even small ones like leading a team update? What felt strong? Where's room to grow? This honest baseline highlights your wins and pinpoints tweaks, building momentum fast.
Then, craft SMART goals: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound. Tier them for wins—start with 2-3 low-stakes talks in Q1 to hone your flow, build to external submissions mid-year, and aim for standout slots by Q4. Link each to bigger outcomes: visibility that fuels recognition and advancement. Example: "Deliver one conference talk by July, followed by targeted follow-ups for two more."
Overcome those pre-stage hurdles proactively. No "big enough" idea? Mine your daily expertise for gold. Lack confidence? Build it through deliberate practice. Sparse network? Cultivate connections intentionally. Fear of judgment? Re-frame stages as chances to share value and connect.
Post-gig worries? Will your message land? Hook audiences with relatable insights from your experience. Delivery nerves? Prep with feedback loops. Turning one opportunity into a stream? Nurture relationships post-talk. Balance with your full plate? Prioritize ruthlessly. And if it doesn't spark growth? Measure impact—new connections, invitations, feedback—and adjust.
Review your vision quarterly. Life and work demand flexibility, but consistent action compounds: One strong talk builds credibility, invites follow, and snowballs influence. Picture 2026 you: Recognized as a go-to expert, speaking confidently, voice amplified, career accelerating. That's within reach.
To your amplified voice in the year ahead.
You've got this.
THE RUN
🎬 Actionable Items to Try This Week
Vision Sketch: Grab 15-20 minutes to write or sketch your ideal 2026 speaking scene. Specific stages? Desired impact? Pin it somewhere visible. Bonus: Drop one goal in our WitVoices community for community cheers.
Topic Brainstorm: Jot 3-5 ideas straight from your work wins. For each, craft a quick hook (e.g., "Lessons from debugging a mission-critical system at 2 AM"). Pitch one via email for an internal slot—like a brown-bag lunch talk.
Connection Spark: Spot 2 women speakers in your niche on LinkedIn or X. Engage genuinely—comment on their content or send a note sharing what resonated. Aim for one meaningful exchange.
Practice Boost: Record a 1-minute opener on your favorite topic. Playback: Celebrate one win, note one polish. Repeat twice more this week to lock in ease.
These are quick, doable moves with real payoff—perfect for kicking off your action bias.
If you're ready to accelerate, WitVoices is built for this. WiTVoices Speaker Lab community (FREE) delivers weekly Q&A for pitch refinement, self-paced classes on crafting talks that stick and an amazing community. Ready to claim your stage? Reply or visit our site—let's make 2026 your visibility breakthrough.
THE WRAP
✋Before you go:
PLANNING WORKSHOP free, and very effective (I’ve been doing this for more than a decade)→ https://www.skool.com/live/jwMSTqg4tJ6
Our FIRST free in-person event of 2026: Voices of Transformation: AI, Robotics, and the Future of Business → here.
Please 🙏 use the poll below to tell me how I did this time. Your feedback helps me make better content.
If you have not already, please subscribe to my newsletter → here.
🌞 Keep Shining,
Barkha
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