In case no one else tells you, it’s important to understand that hoping to be discovered is not a business development strategy - choosing yourself is.

In this episode of So Much To Say: A Legal Podcast For People, Minis with Megan, she talks about the exhausting reality that the same people are often given the same opportunities in law firms, conferences, and leadership spaces while others are left wondering, ‘why not me?’. But instead of waiting to be picked, Megan shares why choosing yourself and advocating for yourself while making yourself visible is one of the most important business development skills you can build.

Who this episode is for:

Lawyers feeling overlooked or stuck in their visibility efforts (online or in-person)
Professionals waiting for opportunities, visibility, or leadership invitations
Anyone frustrated by inequity in networking, speaking, or business development opportunities
People struggling to advocate for themselves and their work

Episode takeaways:

Hoping to be discovered is not a business development strategy
Visibility often comes from advocating for yourself, not waiting for permission
Many talented professionals stay invisible because they believe they need to be chosen first
Rejection, silence, and unanswered pitches are part of the process, NOT proof you aren’t worthy
Building your own path and community is often more powerful than trying to force your way into rooms that don’t want you there in the first place

Business development tips for building visibility:

Stop waiting to be noticed: Tell people what you want
Pitch yourself for opportunities: Speaking, writing, leadership, and visibility all require action (write it, publish it, send the email)
Get comfortable being uncomfortable: Confidence often comes after repetition
Pivot instead of stopping: If one door closes, try a different room
Find your people: Focus on relationships with those who genuinely want to support you
Choose yourself first: You do not need permission to advocate for your value

Stay Connected:

You do not need to wait for someone else to choose you.
Advocate for yourself, build your path, and find your people.
stage helps lawyers and legal teams build visibility, business development confidence, and relationship-first growth strategies that feel authentic, not tiring and performative.

Learn more about stage
Connect with Megan Senese
Connect with Jennifer Ramsey

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