Some learning experiences provide technical tools. Others strengthen something deeper: the confidence to recognize our own value.
The I Am Remarkable workshop, facilitated by Yan Liu and Patricia Gil Casares, offered precisely that space. A structured, thoughtful session designed to address a challenge that remains highly relevant in professional environments: the difficulty many individuals face when speaking about their own achievements without discomfort.
The session opened with a simple but powerful exercise — the “Compliment Chain.” Participants shared what they genuinely admired about the person next to them. The atmosphere quickly shifted. Recognition, when expressed openly, creates connection. Yet as Yan Liu highlighted early in the session:
“It is very easy to talk about someone else’s achievements. It is extremely difficult to talk about our own.”
That insight framed the entire conversation.
From Google Initiative to Global Movement
Launched by Google in 2016, I Am Remarkable was created to address the gap in self-advocacy, particularly among women and underrepresented groups. Since then, the initiative has reached thousands of participants across industries and countries, becoming a global movement focused on building confidence and professional visibility.
Its objective is not self-promotion for its own sake. It is about clarity. About being able to articulate one’s contributions with integrity and without apology.
In professional contexts, silence is often misinterpreted as lack of competence. Visibility, by contrast, creates opportunity.
Language, Bias and Leadership Awareness
Throughout the session, participants reflected on how identity, stereotypes and unconscious bias shape the way individuals see themselves — and are seen by others.
The discussion on language was particularly relevant. Words influence perception. The way we speak about our achievements can either reinforce self-doubt or strengthen credibility.
At Advantere, this reflection resonates strongly. Leadership development is not only about technical expertise or strategic thinking. It also requires self-awareness, responsible communication, and the ability to express impact clearly and ethically.
“I Am Remarkable Because…”
The most impactful moment came with a single prompt:
“I am remarkable because…”
The room grew silent. For many, articulating their own value directly felt unfamiliar — even uncomfortable. Yet what followed was a supportive exchange of reflections that revealed an important truth: recognizing one’s achievements does not diminish others. It reinforces mutual respect.
Confidence, as the facilitators emphasized, is not arrogance. Visibility is not vanity. Speaking about achievements is not about being louder — it is about being present.
The Measurable Impact of Self-Recognition
The long-term results of I Am Remarkable illustrate how powerful this shift can be:
- 49% of participants report career growth after attending a session.
- 82% say they feel more confident.
- 89% report self-promoting more frequently.
Behind these numbers are concrete changes: applying for roles previously perceived as “out of reach,” contributing more actively in meetings, or articulating achievements clearly during performance reviews.
Professional growth often begins with a simple but decisive step — recognizing one’s own contribution.
Confidence as a Leadership Competency
At Advantere, we prepare students to lead in complex, international environments. This requires more than knowledge. It requires the ability to communicate impact with integrity, to understand personal strengths, and to operate with both humility and clarity.
Workshops like I Am Remarkable reinforce a key principle in our learning model: leadership is inseparable from self-awareness.
Developing responsible leaders means helping them build the confidence to contribute, the courage to speak, and the maturity to do so with respect for others.
Because leadership is not only about delivering results.
It is also about recognizing — and articulating — the value you bring to the table.
