See Yourself First: The Inner Work Behind Visibility and Influence

By Mark Sephton.

When it comes to visibility, I tell every single client the same thing: Before the world can see you, you must first see yourself. Before anyone pays attention, before you’re recognised, sought out, or celebrated, you have to truly witness who you are.

The people getting the most meaningful visibility in the world of business aren’t simply louder or more polished; they are deeply self-aware. They’ve done the inner work. They see themselves. They understand their worth and show up from a place of confidence, not from external validation.

In my coaching, whether I’m helping someone share their story with more impact and emotion, on stage, or in everyday leadership, the real transformation always begins with the relationship they have with themselves. When you’re clear on who you are and the value you bring to yourself, you naturally begin to understand the impact you bring to others. That clarity births confidence. And that kind of self-confidence is magnetic; it makes people sit up, listen, and lean into your message.

Anne Wilkinson is someone who lives and breathes this truth. As an executive coach working with high achievers, she understands that authentic visibility isn’t about presence alone; it’s about alignment. Like me, Anne knows that real influence comes from the inside out. I asked Anne to share her perspective:

“ I know from my own personal experience as a leader in business that you can’t truly show up as your best self unless you are self-aware. When you truly understand who you are, beyond status, job titles, goals, and expectations, you develop a quiet inner strength and a trust in yourself. That’s when you stop performing and start leading with authenticity. You speak your truth - not to impress, but because it is who you are. Visibility isn’t about being seen everywhere, it’s about being seen as yourself. When that happens, people don’t just notice you they resonate with you “.

Anne, when you work with high-achievers, how often do you find that their visibility struggles stem from a lack of self-trust?



Almost always. It is rarely about capability, knowledge, or skills. My female clients are typically highly intelligent, accomplished, and driven. But they doubt themselves. They often describe feeling like an impostor, and they are the first to find fault with some aspect of themselves.  Delving further, they have built success through performance, perfectionism, or pleasing others. Somewhere along the way, they lost touch with who they really are, and when that inner connection is missing, no matter how cool they look, how polished the LinkedIn profile is, or how sharp the elevator pitch - something doesn’t land. Visibility without self-trust feels like exposure. Conversely, when a woman knows herself – her values, what drives her, what lights her up, and, importantly, what drains her - her energy shifts; she rises. That’s when visibility feels powerful, not performative.

What practices or shifts have you found most effective in helping clients reconnect with who they really are, beneath the titles and achievements?

The first shift is giving time and space to work on themselves. High-achievers are often in constant motion – many identify with having ADHD. But truth and clarity don’t come in a rush to fix things. I use profiling tools, deep-dive coaching conversations, and powerful questions to help clients see what no longer serves them, so they can start letting go of outdated beliefs, behaviours, and expectations. It's not about becoming someone new so much as making space for more of the unused potential to rise to the surface. That’s where confidence lives.

Many leaders strive to be seen and recognised in their industries, but end up performing instead of aligning. How do you guide someone from performance to authenticity?

I haven’t met a client who wasn’t already aware to some degree that they were ‘performing’.  They feel they have to prove, impress, or maintain a certain image because they don’t feel they are enough. I ask questions like “What if you didn’t need to prove anything? What if who you are is already enough? It sounds simple, but it’s deeply confronting. The shift happens when we can see more value in ourselves and replace performance with presence. That’s when things start to change. The voice becomes clearer. The influence becomes real. 

From your perspective, what’s the difference between being visible and being truly seen?

For me, being visible is an external thing – like being active online, speaking on panels, and getting noticed. Being seen is an internal experience, more of an experience of you than an activity about you. You can be everywhere and still feel invisible if you’re not being real. But when you speak from your truth, when you’re aligned with your values and purpose, people see you in a different way. They connect with something deeper. 

You talk about conscious leadership and sustainable success—how do visibility and personal integrity coexist in your coaching work? And what does conscious leadership really have to do with visibility?

Conscious leadership starts with self-awareness: your values, your impact, and the way you show up in the world. It’s about leading with intention, not just reacting or performing. And visibility is part of that. Because if you’re not consciously shaping how you’re seen, you risk becoming a version of yourself that’s disconnected from who you really are.

In my coaching, we look at what success really means to you —not just what others expect. We explore how to be visible in a way that aligns with your values, energy, and vision. Visibility without integrity doesn’t build trust. It doesn’t feel good. And it doesn’t last.

Authenticity means being the same person in every room, allowing yourself to be seen fully, rather than perfectly. I help leaders lead in a way that’s real, resonant, and sustainable for them, their wellbeing, their team, and their legacy.

What’s one thing you believe every high-achiever must know about themselves before they can confidently lead or be visible in the world?

I think they need to know their Why,  their core drivers and values. Without that clarity, it’s easy to chase a version of success, losing yourself in the process and draining your energy. The kind of inner clarity I’m talking about is energising and magnetic – the difference between pushing and attracting. 

Have you ever had to navigate your own visibility journey? What was the turning point when you began to really see yourself?



Absolutely! It was when I met my nemesis – my new female boss, at what turned out to be the end of a high-flying corporate management career. She was the first woman I worked for in a male-dominated sector - automotive manufacturing. At first, I was thrilled to have a female boss. But she turned out to be a narcissist and bully, and I was gone within 9 months. I felt broken and lost. Eventually, I realised that my sense of identity and self-worth were built on status and material success, and that I felt invisible without them. Thankfully, I discovered coaching, which was new to the UK at the time. Working with a coach helped me get the clarity I needed. It was so transformative, and it felt like ‘me’, so I decided to train as a coach and create a new, more fulfilling career. What I thought was the worst thing to happen to me in my career turned out to be a blessing - and a new identity. I’ve never looked back. 

True visibility doesn’t begin with a social media strategy or a polished pitch — it begins within. It begins when you stop striving to be seen and start courageously seeing yourself. Whether you’re a high-achiever navigating leadership or a creative carving out space in a noisy world, the power to influence and resonate starts with knowing who you are beneath the titles, expectations, and polished pretences. As Anne so beautifully reminds us, visibility without self-trust feels like exposure — but visibility rooted in self-awareness, presence, and purpose becomes magnetic. When you honour your truth, align with your values, and trust your voice, you don’t just attract attention, you create impact. So, before the world can truly see you, you must first see yourself fully, honestly, and unapologetically. That’s where your visibility begins. That’s where your influence lives.

To connect with Anne you can find her on Instagram or LinkedIn

Mark Sephton has helped numerous high-level thought leaders and creatives unveil their story, voice, and visibility so they, too, can make their mark on the world. He creates a safe space for aspiring thought leaders to feel heard, find confidence, and ignite their impact. He does this by increasing their visibility and rapport through storytelling, interviews, content creation, and media presence. In fact, he has conducted over 5,000 life-changing interviews with thought leaders and creatives, and is often referred to as the ‘King of Conversation’.

Mark has shared his life experiences as an author of three books on the subject of personal development: Inside Job, Plot Twist & Mark of a Man. He’s recognized for his contribution as an inspiring storyteller who provides positive exposure and opportunities for others who have a great purpose and passion to make their mark in their own distinctive way.

Find out more about Mark and his work at marksephton.com