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From Invisible to Influential: A Playbook for Women Who’ve Been Told They’re “Not Enough”
- Rhonda Glynn
- Sep 19
- 3 min read
The Lie We’ve Been Told
“Too much. Too late. Not enough.”
If you’re a woman founder or leader, you’ve probably heard these words-sometimes whispered in feedback,
sometimes implied in silence,
sometimes echoing in your own head.
At 18, I was offered the chance to study Graphic Design in Canada. I was ready, excited, dreaming. But when I asked my father for support, he refused, saying: “You’ll end up minding some man there.”
In that single moment, my dream was dismissed.
And that’s how imposter syndrome takes root-not always in failure, but in the stories others project onto us.
“Imposter syndrome isn’t born inside us. It’s planted by the expectations of others.”
Carrying the Weight of Otherness
In my 30+ years in aviation, I knew the pressure of being “the only.”
Often the most qualified Black woman in the room, carrying the pride of representation:
but also the constant burden of proving myself.
Every win felt fragile.
Every mistake felt magnified.
That’s the weight of otherness.
For women founders today, otherness might show up in pitch meetings, leadership tables, or industries that don’t see them as they should.
The feeling is the same: "Do I really belong here?"
Ageism and Late-Stage Dreams
When I went back to school at 40, surrounded by younger students, I worried I was too late.
But that first semester when I earned all A’s, I realized age wasn’t a barrier. It was proof of resilience.
At 55, I launched Zoma Business Solutions.
No safety net.
No family support.
Just vision and determination.
And here’s the truth: Late-stage dreams aren’t liabilities. They’re strategies.
How Imposter Syndrome Holds Women Back
In my strategist work, I see the same patterns repeat themselves:
Leadership: Women hesitate to take roles they’re already qualified for.
Visibility: They worry too much about what others will say.
Knowledge gaps: They feel shame for not knowing everything about funding, branding, or growth.
At the root? Fear. Shame. Silence.
And this is why visibility matters-because when one woman speaks boldly, she gives another woman permission to rise.
The Playbook: From Invisible to Influential
So how do we shift?
Here’s my framework:
Audit the stories. Start by asking yourself: "Who told me that?" "Is it even true?"
Reframe failure. It’s not final-it’s feedback.
Claim your receipts. Wins aren’t bragging-they’re leadership tools.
Find aligned community. Not just numbers, but circles that encourage and hold you accountable.
Ask for help. It's not weakness. It's wisdom.
“Visibility isn’t bragging-it’s leadership.”
Redefining Influence
Influence is not about titles or old corporate models of power.
It’s about presence, receipts, and systems that allow women to thrive.
As women, we were sold a swamp-one that tried to convince us that:
Our work would speak for itself,
That biology limited ambition, and,
That we were team players, not leaders.
None of it was ever true.
A Final Word
At 62, I can say this clearly: it is never too late to claim your independence, your influence, and your brilliance.
If you’ve been told you’re too much, too late, or not enough, this is your invitation to rise.
Go Deeper
This blog is the shorter version of my full article.
On Substack, I share more of my story-my aviation career, the role of ageism, and why Zoma became my declaration of independence.
👉 Read the expanded version on Substack
And if you’re ready to move from invisible to influential, join me for my upcoming workshop:
Imposter Syndrome & Influence™: How to Show Up When You Feel Small
📅 October 26, 2025 | ⏰ 9am AST | 🌐 Online
👉 Register here:
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