3 Mistakes Women Make When Aiming to Speak on Global Stages — and Tips to Step Into the Spotlight

Around the world, countless women are doing incredible work in myriad sectors. Despite their talent, though, their voices are often missing from the biggest global stages. If you look at the most prominent tech and business conferences, it becomes clear — the majority of keynote speakers are male.

This problem is not about a lack of ability or even intentional exclusion. In many cases, it is deeply rooted in internal barriers — self-doubt, perfectionism, and a lack of strategic action — that many women face. Before being invited to speak at events like Tech Spirit Barcelona and 4YFN by Mobile World Congress, I went through these challenges myself.

Fast-forward to today — and whenever I mentor talented female experts, I see how these same obstacles continue to hold them back.

In this article, I’ll highlight the most common mistakes women make that prevent them from gaining visibility and securing speaking opportunities, and share strategies for overcoming these hurdles.

Why female voices at global stages matter

The presence of women on global stages goes beyond individual success. It is about driving systemic change across industries.

When women step up to speak, besides sharing their expertise, they’re building confidence, gaining recognition, and challenging stereotypes. The visibility women earn at such events helps dismantle outdated assumptions and provides inspiration for others.

This is because they bring fresh perspectives to the table. By contributing diverse viewpoints, female experts enrich the conversation, allowing audiences to benefit from ideas shaped by different experiences and backgrounds. Furthermore, whenever young people — both women and men — see others they can identify with on stage, they are motivated to pursue their own goals. Representation matters.

3 mistakes holding women back from global stages

#1: The perfectionism trap: “My English isn’t good enough”

Many women fall into the trap of waiting until they’re “100% ready” — whatever that means — before they take risks. More often than not, this hinders them from launching products, stepping into new roles, or applying to speak at events.

I understand this all too well. When I moved to Europe over three years ago, I had over a decade of experience working with global clients, but I still hesitated to apply for speaking opportunities. I was worried my English wasn’t perfect. I thought my grammar and accent weren’t good enough, or that I’d sound silly or misunderstood. But what I learned over time is this: communication is about more than just words.

People judge based on a combination of factors — energy, expertise, and presence, to name a few. Most importantly, major conferences are attended by people from all over the world with varying levels of English. Bottom line — they don’t care about your accent.

So, ask yourself. What is the “perfect” moment you’re waiting for? Maybe you feel you need more success stories to share, or you want to complete a course before stepping up. The truth is, you’re good enough right now. Perfectionism won’t get you anywhere — it will only hold you back.

#2: The comparison spiral: “I’m not big enough for this”

Another common barrier is the tendency to disqualify oneself before even applying. This often happens when women compare themselves to people with bigger titles or involvement with well-known brands.

I remember feeling this way when I first considered speaking at large events. I told myself I wasn’t experienced enough to share the stage with speakers from huge corporations. On the other hand, smaller events were no longer interesting, and so I waited for the “perfect moment.” Spoiler: it never came.

As I learned, the key is to set ambitious goals and pursue them, regardless of where you currently stand.

We all admire trailblazers like Oprah, Sheryl Sandberg, and Safra Catz, but they didn’t start out as global icons. They made their first speeches, too. Focus on your own journey and stop waiting for someone to “validate” your readiness. You belong in those stages — don’t wait for anyone’s permission to show it.

#3: The quiet quit: One email isn’t enough

You send one email, get no response, and think, “Maybe next time.” This is a mistake. While rejection or silence can feel personal, in reality, it is often about timing, process, or just noise.

This reminds me of pitching journalists. I’ve learned that if you’ve done your homework, and your expertise aligns with the event’s goals, persistence is a must. Don’t give up after one email — follow up, try different contacts, find warm introductions, or pitch from a different angle. Show organizers why you deserve that spot.

If you don’t make your case, someone else will step in — not because they’re more qualified, but because they persevered. Frequently, what gets you an opportunity is persistence, not perfection.

Tips for women speakers: Where to start if you want to speak at global events

#1: Write your speaker bio and create a presentation

Create a concise bio and a speaker deck with 5–7 slides. Include your background, key topics of expertise, and any prior speaking engagements — in case you’re curious about video, yes, videos work wonders.

#2: Update your LinkedIn profile

Ensure your LinkedIn profile highlights your current role and relevant expertise. I’ve seen clients miss out on opportunities because their profiles didn’t reflect their knowledge in key areas. Event organizers will look at your online presence, so make sure it is up to date. Also, because sometimes it is better to reach out to people directly on LinkedIn, this will help you anyway.

#3: List your dream events

Identify the events you’d love to speak at — even those that may seem like a stretch. Make sure you know their goals and align your pitch with them as well as with the organizer’s needs. This will boost the odds you get noticed.

#4: Pitch early

Event organizers start planning well in advance, so pitch early. Even if there’s a call for speakers on a website, follow up directly with an email or social media message. Contacting a fellow human will always bolster your prospects more compared to simply filling a generic form.

#5: Be persistent

Keep following up and making connections. If one email doesn’t get you a response, try again with a new angle. You’ll increase your chances by being strategic and persistent.

Summary and final thoughts

It is time to break free from the barriers that hold us back from global visibility. The truth is, these stages are not reserved for perfect people — they are waiting for bold ones.

If you are ready to take that first step toward global recognition, now is the moment to act. Start small, aim high, and remember that persistence is often the key to success. At the end of the day, it is not about waiting for permission. What’s most important is stepping forward and owning your space.

Are you ready to make today the day you step onto the global stage?