Introduction: When You Do Everything Right But Still Feel Invisible
Meena had been working in the same company for over 12 years. She was always the go-to person. The one who made sure projects were completed, teams were aligned, and crises were avoided. But she was also the one no one noticed in meetings. She wasn’t on the leadership panels. She wasn’t part of the decision-making group.
She was part of the background.
Meena didn’t want fame. She didn’t want to become a CEO. But she wanted a seat at the table where decisions were made. She wanted to have influence, not just responsibility. She wanted to lead with her mind, not just manage with her hands.
This is the story of how Meena moved from a support role into a respected voice in the boardroom. And it all began with one decision: to work with Neeti Keswani, a business storytelling coach, mindset mentor, and host of the Luxury Unplugged Podcast.
Chapter 1: The Frustration of Being Overlooked
Meena was used to being told she was “reliable” and “loyal.” She often received appreciation emails after projects. But promotions? Leadership nominations? Never.
“You keep things running so smoothly,” her boss would say. “We can’t afford to move you.”
That compliment felt more like a cage.
She noticed how others, often with less experience and fewer contributions, were invited to leadership strategy sessions. She supported them. Trained them. Watched them rise.
At some point, Meena began asking herself, “What more do I need to prove?”
Chapter 2: The Turning Point
Meena came across a post on LinkedIn by Neeti Keswani. It read:
“Being the backbone of your company is powerful. But have you made your value visible?”
Those words made her stop scrolling.
She looked at her own profile. She had no posts. Her summary was just a list of job duties. She had always thought her work should speak for itself.
But clearly, it wasn’t.
That evening, Meena binge-listened to five episodes of the Luxury Unplugged Podcast. Neeti’s calm voice, practical advice, and real-life success stories made her believe something new:
“If I keep staying silent, people will keep assuming I’m okay being silent.”
She booked a coaching session.
Chapter 3: Uncovering Her True Value
In the first coaching call, Neeti asked:
“What is your leadership style?”
Meena paused. “I don’t think I’m a leader.”
“But you manage cross-functional teams, guide new hires, and keep entire departments aligned,” Neeti said. “You’re already leading. You just haven’t claimed it yet.”
That hit hard. And it hit deep.
They spent weeks uncovering Meena’s achievements. Not just tasks, but outcomes. Impact. Influence.
Meena realized she had been so focused on doing the work that she had never taken credit for how deeply she had shaped her company’s success.
Chapter 4: Rewriting Her Story
With Neeti’s help, Meena began rewriting her professional story.
Instead of saying:
- “I support the team in project execution,” she now said, “I lead multi-functional teams to deliver high-impact projects across departments.”
Instead of listing duties, she began highlighting results:
- “Reduced project turnaround time by 27% by streamlining cross-team communication.”
- “Built a culture of accountability by implementing transparent reporting systems.”
Her LinkedIn profile became a reflection of her influence, not just her duties.
She posted her first article: “Behind Every Project That Works, There Is a Leader You Don’t See.”
It went viral within her industry circle.
Chapter 5: Learning to Speak Up Strategically
One of Meena’s biggest challenges was speaking up in meetings. She always had ideas but rarely voiced them.
She told Neeti, “I don’t want to interrupt. What if what I say isn’t smart enough?”
Neeti coached her to prepare simple power statements ahead of meetings.
Together, they built a habit:
- Meena would write down three ideas before each meeting.
- She would commit to saying at least one of them.
- After each meeting, she reflected on how she felt.
Soon, Meena’s input became expected.
Her colleagues started saying things like:
“Let’s hear what Meena thinks.”
Her silence was replaced with influence.
Chapter 6: Building Her Personal Brand Inside the Company
Neeti showed Meena how to build her brand within her own company.
They focused on four things:
- Visibility: Meena began sending short weekly updates to her department head summarizing progress and insights.
- Clarity: She presented data with clear visuals and action steps.
- Empathy: She started recognizing others’ contributions openly.
- Initiative: She proposed one new project idea each quarter.
Slowly, senior leaders started viewing Meena not as a support, but as a thinker. A strategist. A leader.
She even received a company award for “Collaborative Innovation.”
Chapter 7: The First Boardroom Invitation
Six months into coaching, Meena received a formal email:
“You are invited to join the Q4 strategy roundtable.”
She read it three times.
She wasn’t being invited as a note-taker. She was being invited as a voice. A perspective. A decision-maker.
In that meeting, she presented a suggestion that helped the company improve client retention by 15%.
After the meeting, the COO said, “We need to involve you earlier in strategic planning.”
Chapter 8: Mentoring Others to Rise
What surprised Meena most was how other women began coming to her for advice.
They said:
“I saw your post about leadership. It made me feel like maybe I could speak up too.”
Neeti encouraged her to start a leadership circle within the company.
She called it “Quiet Strength: Leadership for Thoughtful Professionals.”
In six weeks, it grew from five to thirty participants. It became a safe space where people shared struggles, strategies, and wins.
Meena had become a leader not only in the boardroom but in the hearts of her peers.
Chapter 9: The Internal Shift
Yes, Meena had now entered boardrooms.
Yes, she had launched a leadership community.
Yes, she had influence.
But the biggest change was inside.
She no longer questioned if she belonged. She no longer waited for permission to speak. She no longer hid behind humility.
She had learned to balance kindness with courage, contribution with visibility, and background support with strategic direction.
Chapter 10: Why Neeti Keswani’s Coaching Created Real Change
Neeti’s coaching works because it’s not just about career tips. It’s about identity transformation.
She helped Meena:
- Rewrite her story
- Realize her value
- Build a presence
- Speak with clarity
- Own her space
All without ever needing to become someone she wasn’t.
Neeti believes your story is your brand. And when you learn how to share it, you don’t need to push to be heard. You attract the right people, roles, and recognition.
Conclusion: From Background to Boardroom Is Possible for You Too
Meena’s journey is not one of overnight fame. It’s a journey of quiet courage, consistent effort, and inner transformation.
If you see yourself in her story — always doing the work, but not getting the seat at the table — know this:
You are not too late. You are not too small. You are not invisible.
You simply need the tools, support, and clarity to step into the influence you’ve already earned.
Start with your story. Start with one post. Start with one voice in the room.
And maybe, just like Meena, your next invitation will come not because you asked for it — but because you finally started standing for your own value.
About Neeti Keswani
Neeti Keswani is a business storytelling coach, mindset mentor, and host of the Luxury Unplugged Podcast. She helps professionals and entrepreneurs become confident leaders by turning their personal stories into powerful personal brands.
Her coaching is designed for those who feel unseen, overlooked, or unsure of how to share their value. Through simple tools, deep listening, and storytelling frameworks, Neeti helps you rise — authentically.
Work with Neeti:
- 📧 Book a 1-on-1 session: info@plush-ink.com
- 🎧 Listen on Spotify: Luxury Unplugged Podcast
- 📘 Read her book: Live Your Dreams
- 🌐 Website: www.plush-ink.com
- 📸 Instagram: @luxurylifestylepodcast
- 💼 Facebook: Plush Ink Magazine