Why talented women keep getting passed over for promotions—and 3 strategies to help

Are you heads down, cranking out work, staying late, and hitting deadlines? Have you consistently brought major projects in under budget, but no one seems to notice? Are you devoted to your employer, yet aren’t being promoted, and worse, your male peers are? You’re experiencing the classic visibility problem. And you’re not alone. Despite women earning the majority of college degrees, they receive fewer promotions than men do at every level. And the problem begins with the first step on the so-called ladder to becoming a manager. According to McKinsey and LeanIn.Org’s Women in the Workplace 2025 report, for every 100 men who are promoted to manager, only 93 women are, and just 74 women of color. And the numbers get even worse for women further up the ladder, making it harder to rise when men hold significantly more management positions. 3 signs you’re not visible enough to leadership: 1) Your manager is too busy to know what you’re contributing. They are in meetings all day and can barely keep their head above water. They may have too many direct reports as organizations flatten, and feel behind on their own deliverables, so they haven’t made time to focus on you. They trust you’re doing a good job and that you will continue to do so. They don’t realize you are quietly fuming about being underappreciated and underpromoted. 2) You don’t have sponsors. You might have strong relationships with your manager and your peers. You may even have an inspiring mentor who offers advice. Good for you! But that’s not enough to get promoted–you need sponsors. Sponsors are senior leaders within the organization who create opportunities for you and advocate for you behind closed doors. And that’s where most decisions are made for high-profile assignments, raises, and promotions. Further, McKinsey’s research finds for every new sponsor you have, your chance of being promoted increases by 10%. 3) You’re worried that self-advocacy is seen as bragging. Yes, you know you’re doing a