successful Black woman executive standing next to a desk; 3 Branding Mistakes that Sabotage Black Women_Twanna Carter; how to recover from a branding mistake as a black female executive, rebranding strategy after a business mistake black women, fixing a weak personal brand as a woman of color in leadership, managing online reputation for black women executives, how to position myself as an industry expert [black woman], overcoming invisibility as a black woman in corporate america; building authority and credibility as a black female leader; branding for black women who want board positions; how to communicate my value as a black woman executive, personal branding for black women seeking c-suite roles,

Personal Branding

3 Branding Mistakes That Sabotage Successful Black Women Leaders

August 24, 2025

successful Black woman executive standing next to a desk; 3 Branding Mistakes that Sabotage Black Women_Twanna Carter; 

how to recover from a branding mistake as a black female executive, 
rebranding strategy after a business mistake black women,
fixing a weak personal brand as a woman of color in leadership, 
managing online reputation for black women executives, 
how to position myself as an industry expert [black woman],
overcoming invisibility as a black woman in corporate america; 
building authority and credibility as a black female leader; 
branding for black women who want board positions; 
how to communicate my value as a black woman executive, 
personal branding for black women seeking c-suite roles,
Image created by Author via Sintra

Why Personal Branding Matters More Than Ever

Visibility Equals Value

As a Black woman in leadership, your excellence is undeniable. But it isn’t always seen. Visibility, personal branding, isn’t just about being noticed. It’s about being recognized and respected for your impact. Whether you’re leading in healthcare, finance, tech, or the nonprofit sector, your personal brand is the bridge between your brilliance and the boardroom.

The Rise of Values-Driven, Expert-Led Brands

Leadership is evolving. People aren’t just following titles, they’re following voices they trust. As someone who’s carved a seat at the table, your personal brand can inspire teams, shift culture, and open doors for others, when it’s done right.


The High Cost of Overlooking Your Brand

Missed Opportunities Despite Proven Track Records

You’ve launched initiatives, led cross-functional teams, mentored rising talent. And still, you might watch others with half your credentials get promoted or praised. This isn’t about capability, which is a mistake too many make. 

It’s about visibility.

The Perception Gap

You know what you bring to the table. But if your digital presence, executive bio, or elevator pitch doesn’t reflect your full range, you risk being misunderstood or undervalued. And for Black women, the cost of being misunderstood in leadership? Too high to ignore.


Branding Mistake #1: Inconsistent Messaging

How Mixed Messages Undermine Executive Presence

You’ve evolved. But does your brand reflect that growth? From your LinkedIn profile to how you’re introduced in meetings, every touchpoint is an opportunity to affirm your authority. When messages don’t align, it creates uncertainty. And uncertainty never gets invited to the table.

Real-World Example

A senior VP in a nonprofit space had multiple bios across platforms, each telling a slightly different story. Her core brilliance was getting lost. We clarified her brand narrative, and within months, she was tapped for a national advisory board.


Branding Mistake #2: Downplaying Your Achievements

Why Staying Humble Can Hold You Back

Let’s talk real: Many Black women were taught not to “brag.” But in the boardroom, silence isn’t strength, it’s missed influence. You’ve earned your wins. And your brand needs to reflect that unapologetically.

The Cost of Staying Quiet

When you shrink your story, it doesn’t just affect your career. It also affects the impact you’re meant to have. You can be humble and powerful. In fact, your community needs you to be both.


Branding Mistake #3: DIY Branding Without Strategy

Winging It Doesn’t Work at the Executive Level

Signs Your Brand Needs Focus

  • You’re not attracting aligned opportunities
  • You constantly have to re-explain your value
  • Your message changes depending on the room

It’s time to streamline and stand tall.


Spot Your Strengths: The First Step to Brand Clarity

Conduct a Leadership Brand Audit

Start with this: 

What do people come to you for? What compliments do you brush off? What results have you delivered consistently? The answers reveal the essence of your brand.

Name What Makes You Unforgettable

You might be the calm in chaos. The mission-driven problem solver. The visionary who leads with both head and heart. It’s time to name it, claim it, and lead with it.


Level Up Your Message. Let Your Brand Speak for You

Align Your Messaging With Your Power

Instead of generic phrases like “supporting team growth,” say, “mentored 12 Black women into senior leadership roles across three organizations.” That’s not bragging. That’s receipts.

Be Consistent Everywhere

Whether it’s your executive bio, podcast intro, or conference panel, your voice should be steady, strong, and unmistakably you. That’s how trust, and influence, is built.


From Stuck and Disconnected to Landing a New Role in Under 5 Months

When Client P., a healthcare executive, first came to me, she was unsure how to make a career transition. She had stopped reaching out to people in her network and felt isolated in her career path. 

To make matters worse, she had already invested in a previous career coach who simply gave her a set of videos to watch, leaving her with no real guidance, no accountability, and no results.

Through our coaching together, I guided P. to reconnect with her existing powerbase and intentionally build new, strategic connections. Together, we also rebuilt her leadership brand, one that reflected the powerful executive she had become over the past 5+ years.

The transformation was undeniable. Within less than five months, P. landed a new role, one that aligned with her experience, her leadership strengths, and her future vision.


Tools to Reclaim and Refine Your Brand

Ask Yourself These Questions

  • Am I telling the full truth about my impact?
  • What do I want to be known for now, not five years ago?
  • Does my digital presence reflect who I really am?

Try This Framework

Spot Your StrengthsLevel Up Your MessageLead With Impact
 

Simple. Clear. Powerful.


Before You Go: Your Brilliance Deserves to Be Seen

If you’re a high-performing Black woman executive who’s tired of being the best-kept secret in the room, know this: you’re not alone. Too many brilliant leaders are passed over, undervalued, or expected to keep proving what they already are.

That stops here.

This September, you’re invited to something different. Something built for you, with your leadership, legacy, and next level in mind.


How the VISIBLE Executive Brand Method™ Supports Black Women Executives

What It Is

The VISIBLE Executive Brand Method™ mini coaching is a proven, step-by-step system designed to help Black women leaders go from overlooked to undeniable by building a personal brand that gets them seen, promoted, and paid.

This isn’t a course, it’s a 30-day immersive experience.

Together, we’ll build your leadership brand from the inside out with clarity, confidence, and cultural fluency.

We’ll use the VISIBLE Executive Brand Method™ to unlock your brand power:

  1. View Your Brand – self-assess perception
  2. Interview Your Circle – gather strategic feedback
  3. Spot Your Strengths – clarify your unique genius
  4. Identify Your Values – define your leadership non-negotiables
  5. Build Your Mission – anchor your purpose
  6. Level Up your Message – value proposition
  7. Elevate Your Presence – activate your brand

By the end, you’ll walk away with:

✨ A clear personal brand that positions you as leadership-ready
✨ A compelling value proposition that communicates your worth
✨ A confident narrative that makes promotions and board seats easier to win
✨ A roadmap to elevate your presence inside and outside your organization
✨ The confidence to speak up, stand out, and get selected for new opportunities


This Is for You If…

  • You’ve put in the work, delivered results, and watched others get the promotions, the pay raises, and the recognition…while your brilliance is ignored and your contributions dismissed.
  • You’re drained from carrying the weight of being “the only” in the room. Constantly proving you belong, code-switching, and working twice as hard just to earn half the acknowledgment.
  • You’re done blending into the background and ready to step forward with unapologetic power. So that your presence commands attention, your leadership opens doors, and your career finally matches the level of excellence you’ve been delivering all along.

If this is you, then waiting is not an option. Every month you stay invisible is another missed opportunity, another check left on the table, another seat at the table given to someone else.

This program was built to change all of that for you. Inside, you’ll discover how to:

✅ Craft a magnetic leadership brand that makes decision-makers take notice. 

✅ Step into rooms with unshakable confidence and influence.

✅ Finally be recognized, rewarded, and respected for the leader you already are.

💡 Your brilliance is not up for debate. It’s time the world sees it too.

This experience isn’t free, but it pays for itself in clarity, credibility, and conversion.
Only 10 high-performing Black women executives will be selected.

💬 Ready to be seen, celebrated, and selected?

Click the “Get the Details” button. Then complete the form to request a chat with me.
First come. First seen.


FAQs: Branding Mistakes 

Why do Black women need personal branding support?

Because too often, we’ve been told to “work hard and be quiet.” Branding flips the script and makes your excellence visible.

I’m already successful, why fix my brand now?

Success without strategy can lead to stagnation. Your next level requires next-level clarity.

Will the Brand Sprint help if I’m switching industries?

Absolutely. We help you translate your leadership story so it resonates across sectors.

Can I build a brand without feeling fake?

Yes. Authentic branding is about amplifying your truth, not inventing a persona.

What’s the time commitment?

Most clients gain clarity in 1-2 sessions and start seeing real shifts in 30 days.

Is this just for entrepreneurs?

No. It’s built for professionals, executives, and thought leaders, in any space. As well as executives who’ve decided to take that leap into entrepreneurship.


Ready to Go from Hidden to Headline?

Your Brilliance Deserves the Spotlight

You’ve done the work. You’ve led with excellence. Now it’s time for your message to match your magic.

✨ Transform your brand from hidden to headline.

Apply for the Brand Sprint today. Click the “Get the Details” button. Then complete the form to request a chat with me and sign up for the VISIBLE Executive Brand Method™ mini coaching.


how to stop self-sabotage managing negative self-talk overcoming imposter syndrome turning off the inner critic self-doubt and the inner critic inner voice vs inner critic healing the inner critic inner critic and leadership the voice that holds you back how to retrain your inner critic understanding self-sabotaging thoughts inner critic and emotional burnout building confidence after self-criticism is your inner critic protecting you why your inner critic exists self-talk for Black women leaders find Black executive coach near; best Black executive coach near; find Black career coach near; best Black career coach; executive coaching for Black women; how to protect yourself from being managed out; being too much; boundaries; soft life; build your powerbase; powerful network; executive leadership coaching for black women; executive presence coaching for black women; vp promotion coaching; svp promotion coaching; personal branding for executives

I’m a certified executive coach and an ICF Professional Certified Coach (PCC)   for Twanna Carter Professional & Personal Coaching, LLC. I flubbed my first career transition from the military so badly, it took me the next 10+ years to build my confidence and  recover. I know what it feels like to struggle with imposter syndrome and uncertainty about my leadership skills in the workplace. It’s why I am dedicated to empowering Black women. Helping them navigate career challenges and uncertainty by providing them with the tools and strategies they need to be successful. Schedule a V.I.P. Roadmap session today.

If you enjoyed this blog, please share it. If you’re also feeling generous, consider Buying Me a Coffee.☕️

Read my latest blogs…

Hello, I'm  Dr. Twanna
Ready to Make Your Dreams Happen?
And live your best life  now?
tell me more



.

August 24, 2025

Executive Coaching, Executive Coaching for Black Women, Personal Branding

successful Black woman executive standing next to a desk; 3 Branding Mistakes that Sabotage Black Women_Twanna Carter; 

how to recover from a branding mistake as a black female executive, 
rebranding strategy after a business mistake black women,
fixing a weak personal brand as a woman of color in leadership, 
managing online reputation for black women executives, 
how to position myself as an industry expert [black woman],
overcoming invisibility as a black woman in corporate america; 
building authority and credibility as a black female leader; 
branding for black women who want board positions; 
how to communicate my value as a black woman executive, 
personal branding for black women seeking c-suite roles,
Image created by Author via Sintra

Why Personal Branding Matters More Than Ever

Visibility Equals Value

As a Black woman in leadership, your excellence is undeniable. But it isn’t always seen. Visibility, personal branding, isn’t just about being noticed. It’s about being recognized and respected for your impact. Whether you’re leading in healthcare, finance, tech, or the nonprofit sector, your personal brand is the bridge between your brilliance and the boardroom.

The Rise of Values-Driven, Expert-Led Brands

Leadership is evolving. People aren’t just following titles, they’re following voices they trust. As someone who’s carved a seat at the table, your personal brand can inspire teams, shift culture, and open doors for others, when it’s done right.


The High Cost of Overlooking Your Brand

Missed Opportunities Despite Proven Track Records

You’ve launched initiatives, led cross-functional teams, mentored rising talent. And still, you might watch others with half your credentials get promoted or praised. This isn’t about capability, which is a mistake too many make. 

It’s about visibility.

The Perception Gap

You know what you bring to the table. But if your digital presence, executive bio, or elevator pitch doesn’t reflect your full range, you risk being misunderstood or undervalued. And for Black women, the cost of being misunderstood in leadership? Too high to ignore.


Branding Mistake #1: Inconsistent Messaging

How Mixed Messages Undermine Executive Presence

You’ve evolved. But does your brand reflect that growth? From your LinkedIn profile to how you’re introduced in meetings, every touchpoint is an opportunity to affirm your authority. When messages don’t align, it creates uncertainty. And uncertainty never gets invited to the table.

Real-World Example

A senior VP in a nonprofit space had multiple bios across platforms, each telling a slightly different story. Her core brilliance was getting lost. We clarified her brand narrative, and within months, she was tapped for a national advisory board.


Branding Mistake #2: Downplaying Your Achievements

Why Staying Humble Can Hold You Back

Let’s talk real: Many Black women were taught not to “brag.” But in the boardroom, silence isn’t strength, it’s missed influence. You’ve earned your wins. And your brand needs to reflect that unapologetically.

The Cost of Staying Quiet

When you shrink your story, it doesn’t just affect your career. It also affects the impact you’re meant to have. You can be humble and powerful. In fact, your community needs you to be both.


Branding Mistake #3: DIY Branding Without Strategy

Winging It Doesn’t Work at the Executive Level

Signs Your Brand Needs Focus

  • You’re not attracting aligned opportunities
  • You constantly have to re-explain your value
  • Your message changes depending on the room

It’s time to streamline and stand tall.


Spot Your Strengths: The First Step to Brand Clarity

Conduct a Leadership Brand Audit

Start with this: 

What do people come to you for? What compliments do you brush off? What results have you delivered consistently? The answers reveal the essence of your brand.

Name What Makes You Unforgettable

You might be the calm in chaos. The mission-driven problem solver. The visionary who leads with both head and heart. It’s time to name it, claim it, and lead with it.


Level Up Your Message. Let Your Brand Speak for You

Align Your Messaging With Your Power

Instead of generic phrases like “supporting team growth,” say, “mentored 12 Black women into senior leadership roles across three organizations.” That’s not bragging. That’s receipts.

Be Consistent Everywhere

Whether it’s your executive bio, podcast intro, or conference panel, your voice should be steady, strong, and unmistakably you. That’s how trust, and influence, is built.


From Stuck and Disconnected to Landing a New Role in Under 5 Months

When Client P., a healthcare executive, first came to me, she was unsure how to make a career transition. She had stopped reaching out to people in her network and felt isolated in her career path. 

To make matters worse, she had already invested in a previous career coach who simply gave her a set of videos to watch, leaving her with no real guidance, no accountability, and no results.

Through our coaching together, I guided P. to reconnect with her existing powerbase and intentionally build new, strategic connections. Together, we also rebuilt her leadership brand, one that reflected the powerful executive she had become over the past 5+ years.

The transformation was undeniable. Within less than five months, P. landed a new role, one that aligned with her experience, her leadership strengths, and her future vision.


Tools to Reclaim and Refine Your Brand

Ask Yourself These Questions

  • Am I telling the full truth about my impact?
  • What do I want to be known for now, not five years ago?
  • Does my digital presence reflect who I really am?

Try This Framework

Spot Your StrengthsLevel Up Your MessageLead With Impact
 

Simple. Clear. Powerful.


Before You Go: Your Brilliance Deserves to Be Seen

If you’re a high-performing Black woman executive who’s tired of being the best-kept secret in the room, know this: you’re not alone. Too many brilliant leaders are passed over, undervalued, or expected to keep proving what they already are.

That stops here.

This September, you’re invited to something different. Something built for you, with your leadership, legacy, and next level in mind.


How the VISIBLE Executive Brand Method™ Supports Black Women Executives

What It Is

The VISIBLE Executive Brand Method™ mini coaching is a proven, step-by-step system designed to help Black women leaders go from overlooked to undeniable by building a personal brand that gets them seen, promoted, and paid.

This isn’t a course, it’s a 30-day immersive experience.

Together, we’ll build your leadership brand from the inside out with clarity, confidence, and cultural fluency.

We’ll use the VISIBLE Executive Brand Method™ to unlock your brand power:

  1. View Your Brand – self-assess perception
  2. Interview Your Circle – gather strategic feedback
  3. Spot Your Strengths – clarify your unique genius
  4. Identify Your Values – define your leadership non-negotiables
  5. Build Your Mission – anchor your purpose
  6. Level Up your Message – value proposition
  7. Elevate Your Presence – activate your brand

By the end, you’ll walk away with:

✨ A clear personal brand that positions you as leadership-ready
✨ A compelling value proposition that communicates your worth
✨ A confident narrative that makes promotions and board seats easier to win
✨ A roadmap to elevate your presence inside and outside your organization
✨ The confidence to speak up, stand out, and get selected for new opportunities


This Is for You If…

  • You’ve put in the work, delivered results, and watched others get the promotions, the pay raises, and the recognition…while your brilliance is ignored and your contributions dismissed.
  • You’re drained from carrying the weight of being “the only” in the room. Constantly proving you belong, code-switching, and working twice as hard just to earn half the acknowledgment.
  • You’re done blending into the background and ready to step forward with unapologetic power. So that your presence commands attention, your leadership opens doors, and your career finally matches the level of excellence you’ve been delivering all along.

If this is you, then waiting is not an option. Every month you stay invisible is another missed opportunity, another check left on the table, another seat at the table given to someone else.

This program was built to change all of that for you. Inside, you’ll discover how to:

✅ Craft a magnetic leadership brand that makes decision-makers take notice. 

✅ Step into rooms with unshakable confidence and influence.

✅ Finally be recognized, rewarded, and respected for the leader you already are.

💡 Your brilliance is not up for debate. It’s time the world sees it too.

This experience isn’t free, but it pays for itself in clarity, credibility, and conversion.
Only 10 high-performing Black women executives will be selected.

💬 Ready to be seen, celebrated, and selected?

Click the “Get the Details” button. Then complete the form to request a chat with me.
First come. First seen.


FAQs: Branding Mistakes 

Why do Black women need personal branding support?

Because too often, we’ve been told to “work hard and be quiet.” Branding flips the script and makes your excellence visible.

I’m already successful, why fix my brand now?

Success without strategy can lead to stagnation. Your next level requires next-level clarity.

Will the Brand Sprint help if I’m switching industries?

Absolutely. We help you translate your leadership story so it resonates across sectors.

Can I build a brand without feeling fake?

Yes. Authentic branding is about amplifying your truth, not inventing a persona.

What’s the time commitment?

Most clients gain clarity in 1-2 sessions and start seeing real shifts in 30 days.

Is this just for entrepreneurs?

No. It’s built for professionals, executives, and thought leaders, in any space. As well as executives who’ve decided to take that leap into entrepreneurship.


Ready to Go from Hidden to Headline?

Your Brilliance Deserves the Spotlight

You’ve done the work. You’ve led with excellence. Now it’s time for your message to match your magic.

✨ Transform your brand from hidden to headline.

Apply for the Brand Sprint today. Click the “Get the Details” button. Then complete the form to request a chat with me and sign up for the VISIBLE Executive Brand Method™ mini coaching.


how to stop self-sabotage managing negative self-talk overcoming imposter syndrome turning off the inner critic self-doubt and the inner critic inner voice vs inner critic healing the inner critic inner critic and leadership the voice that holds you back how to retrain your inner critic understanding self-sabotaging thoughts inner critic and emotional burnout building confidence after self-criticism is your inner critic protecting you why your inner critic exists self-talk for Black women leaders find Black executive coach near; best Black executive coach near; find Black career coach near; best Black career coach; executive coaching for Black women; how to protect yourself from being managed out; being too much; boundaries; soft life; build your powerbase; powerful network; executive leadership coaching for black women; executive presence coaching for black women; vp promotion coaching; svp promotion coaching; personal branding for executives

I’m a certified executive coach and an ICF Professional Certified Coach (PCC)   for Twanna Carter Professional & Personal Coaching, LLC. I flubbed my first career transition from the military so badly, it took me the next 10+ years to build my confidence and  recover. I know what it feels like to struggle with imposter syndrome and uncertainty about my leadership skills in the workplace. It’s why I am dedicated to empowering Black women. Helping them navigate career challenges and uncertainty by providing them with the tools and strategies they need to be successful. Schedule a V.I.P. Roadmap session today.

If you enjoyed this blog, please share it. If you’re also feeling generous, consider Buying Me a Coffee.☕️

Read my latest blogs…

3 Branding Mistakes That Sabotage Successful Black Women Leaders

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Meet Dr. Twanna

Welcome to my blog! As a passionate reader and travel enthusiast, I've spent years soaking up stories from diverse cultures and landscapes. 
I am committed to creating an empowering space where Black women can celebrate their achievements, learn from their challenges, and find inspiration for their journey.
I hope you find value in these shared experiences and insights. Enjoy exploring!

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