I’m a change maker, brand adviser, and system rethinker dedicated to challenging norms and helping people and businesses leave a lasting legacy. 

With a background in advertising and 8 years spent mastering the craft of storytelling, I’ve developed a sharp ability to observe cultural undercurrents, strategise bold ideas, and turn them into impactful action.

In 2018, I founded F*ck Being Humble to rewrite the narrative around self-promotion empowering individuals to be unapologetically proud of their achievements and transforming how professional development is delivered. My work focuses on reshaping both individual mindsets and corporate cultures, using storytelling as a tool for building confidence, visibility, and long-term impact.

Through keynotes, workshops, and strategic advisory, I’ve helped global brands and forward-thinking individuals rethink how they show up in the world, because legacy isn’t just what you build, it’s how you make people feel and what you leave behind.

My mission is clear: to help people and brands think bigger, speak louder, and act braver, because true influence comes from the courage to be seen, and the clarity to make change that matters.

My therapist told me not to give advice for 3 months 🤐🤐🤐

Not the easiest as my job is quite literally based on this.

But what she was really hinting at was how much I pour out to other people and how empty my cup had become.

So if you’re known as being:
- a fixer
- a solver 
- the reliable one 
- the one that people lean on

You’re probably overgiving without meaning to. 

Now I can’t change company cultures or your workload, but I can encourage you to think about your own behavioural patterns.

So if you’re feeling a little burned out right now, I want you to be reflecting on:

1) Where might you be overgiving?
2) When do you insert yourself into situations even when you’ve not been asked?
3) Do you need to pick up every little thing or could you create space for someone else to?

And let me know, could you go 3 months without giving advice?! 🤣

Stefanie Sword-Williams FRSA (she/her)

TEDx Speaker | Top 50 Workplace Leaders UK | Keynote and Motivational Speaker | Founder and Author of F*ck Being Humble | Brand Consultant and Creative Strategist

Last weekend, I started feeling a bit wobbly about people reading my new book, the months between it being complete and the release date are pretty daunting. It goes from being a word document to something very real that will be going out to the world to be judged. 🫠

As I expressed this panic / fear / anxiety to my partner, he reminded me of a saying that I always repeat:

“If it just helps one person, that’s all that matters. It’s not about being the best, it’s about serving others”

This reframe has helped me push through many moments of fear, because it’s not about my ego, it’s about using my voice for good.

So please remember this the next time fear pops up for you….focus on the one person you’re helping and take the spotlight off you. 💫

No alternative text description for this image

We have a major problem: people are disconnected from theirselves and only connected to their careers (I know because this has been me….🫠)

Last week I had spoke to someone about their personal brand and they said they didn’t know what to share.

They knew what “performs well on Instagram” so they could do more of that, but when I asked them but what do YOU really care about? They looked blank. And also really sad to not be able to answer the question.

I am having endless conversations with people who are drowning so much in their career that they don’t feel they have capacity to read things, listen to things, or explore things outside of work. 

Ambition, achievement and making sure they don’t drop the ball is what they have prioritised for so long, they genuinely don’t have a clear picture of who they are without work.

If you’re reading this and feeling seen I want you to:

1️⃣ Cancel one thing in your diary this week and protect that free time as you time. Look at media platforms as see what stories jump out at you, scroll through substack and see what your drawn to. Or take yourself on a solo date somewhere.

2️⃣ Think about what you’d do if you couldn’t share it on social media. What genuinely excites you, cool or not cool, that you feel drawn to even when it’s not socially validated.

3️⃣ Set up some tiny experiments. Shout out to my favourite book this year by Anne-Laure Le Cunff, PhD who encourages us to try on things without massive ambitions or metrics. For example write 5 articles about something but don’t share it. The point is that you try, not that you perform.

4️⃣ Find more windows of solitude. Not every commute, walk, journey, or meal time needs to be filled with consumption. Give your mind a rest. Let thoughts come in. Observe your surroundings. Be present in spaces. Think about what annoys you. What made you smile. What got you excited.

These are all things I’ve been actively doing to get to a better work-life balance and seperate my identity from work - any other tips welcome in the comments!

For anyone pitching themselves for something, there’s a difference between sending a pitch deck and justifying why YOU are the best candidate. Let me explain ⬇️

A pitch deck is often includes who you are, who you’ve worked with, the idea you’re pitching, the approach, budget, and case studies.

This is the format many of us are used to.

But recently I’ve been using these questions to polish my pitch…

1. What are all the reasons I am the best candidate for the opportunity?

2. What would happen if the company didn’t work with me?

These two questions set a different tone. Of course they feel a little bit scary to answer at first.

But when I did start writing my answers down, I realised, pitch decks can often feel quite passive.

Mainly because we’re trying to sound humble and modest, and not arrogant or too OTT.

By answering question 1, it made me think of every single memory, moment, work experience, obstacle, career and business decision I’ve ever made that would prove me to be the best option.

By answering question 2, it helped me to see the value / budget I was asking for was 100% worth it because of the long list of problems that would happen if you didn’t work with me. 

These two questions are much better at helping you prepare for a pitch conversation and they help you feel more ready to back yourself. 

So the next time you’ve got something big coming up, use them to remind yourself why you are going to the best option! 🌟🌟🌟

I got a great response from last week’s Friday Wins before Dins post, so let’s keep up the momentum!

Drop 3 things you’re happy you’ve done this week below in the comments. 

The goal is we are publicly sharing our wins for the week before dinner time. A space for accountability, self-reflection, and celebration 🥳 

It’s a great way to practice your self-promotion and get comfortable with owning your progress. Drop yours below 👇

It’s Friday so it’s time to do your wins before dins! If you’re new to this, all you need to do is share 2-3 things that you’re happy you’ve done this week as a form of self-reflection and celebrating small progress.

It doesn’t need to be monumental or big, just things you’re glad you did.

Me and two friends started this in lockdown and it became a great way to practice celebrating ourselves and giving ourself the credit we deserve before we end the week!

I’ll go first…..

I’m going to be hosting two events in Sydney in two weeks and you’re invited! Details below:

3rd December: Take risks and back yourself keynote and panel discussion at Rainbow Studios
Book here: https://lnkd.in/erri_kWk

4th December: How to build a career your fulfilled with talk and networking with So Invested and Social Capital 
Book here: https://luma.com/pm6n0zdu

Please tag people who might want to attend in the comments!

taplio

Stefanie FRSA's Linkedin Analytics

Stefanie FRSA

Performance ScoreStefanie FRSA's LinkedIn Performance

What is Stefanie talking about?

Stefanie FRSA's Best Posts (last 30 days)

Ready to grow your LinkedIn presence?