Celebrating Our Achievements Together: #IamRemarkable with Morgan Stanley

Equate Scotland was delighted to welcome members of our Friends of Equate network to an inspiring #IamRemarkable workshop, hosted by Morgan Stanley in Glasgow. We were joined by eight brilliant participants – all talented working professionals from Scottish Enterprise, SSE and Equate Scotland – for a thoughtful, honest, and energising conversation about recognising and sharing our achievements.

A huge thank you goes to Morgan Stanley for hosting this session, and especially to our fantastic facilitator Lucy King, who led the workshop with warmth, insight, and openness. Lucy created a genuinely safe and inclusive space where everyone felt encouraged to reflect, share, and support one another.

Why #IamRemarkable Matters

The #IamRemarkable initiative is all about challenging the social and cultural barriers that can make self‑promotion feel uncomfortable, particularly for those from underrepresented groups. Throughout the workshop, participants explored why recognising and articulating achievements is not about bragging, but about visibility, confidence, and self‑advocacy.

We discussed how reflecting on past successes can reduce stress, boost confidence, and motivate future growth. Sharing achievements – both personal and professional – not only reinforces credibility but can also inspire others and strengthen teams.

One powerful takeaway was the reminder that “it’s not bragging if it’s based on facts.” Negative reactions to shared successes often say more about the critic than the person speaking up. If we don’t talk about our achievements, there’s a real risk of being overlooked—especially in busy, fast-moving workplaces.

Barriers to Self‑Promotion and Inclusion

The session also explored the very real barriers many people face when it comes to self‑advocacy. Participants reflected on how identity stereotypes related to gender, race, neurodiversity, language, and culture can make speaking up feel risky or uncomfortable. Acronym‑heavy environments, confidence gaps, and fear of judgement can all limit visibility and career progression.

Lucy shared reflections on accents, language, and belonging, highlighting how inclusive workplaces must actively create safe spaces and gently encourage participation—so that confidence becomes a habit rather than a hurdle.

These barriers are backed up by stark evidence discussed during the session. 55% of Black women have had their judgement questioned, compared with 39% of all women and 28% of all men. In addition, 1 in 2 employees have been mocked for their accent in social settings, reinforcing how language and identity can affect confidence, belonging, and willingness to speak up.

Importantly, we talked about how self‑advocacy reduces reliance on others for recognition. Managers may not always notice or remember achievements, making proactive communication essential.

Personal and Professional Achievements: Powerful Reflections

A particularly meaningful part of the workshop was hearing participants reflect on their own achievements. These ranged from professional milestones—such as promotions, leading major innovation projects, completing degrees, and building new careers after moving countries—to deeply personal achievements, including managing family life, adapting to change, learning new languages, caring for wellbeing, and contributing to local communities.

We heard stories of:

• Balancing demanding careers with family life, children, pets, and the often‑invisible cognitive load that comes with it
• Starting new academic and professional paths later in life and building a future from scratch
• Leading with courage, curiosity, and resilience—whether in the workplace, education, or community settings
• Valuing personal achievements alongside professional ones, even when they might feel “ordinary” or go unnoticed by others

These reflections reminded us that achievement is not one‑dimensional—and that personal growth, care, and adaptability matter just as much as job titles or projects.

Practical Tips to Take Forward

The workshop closed with practical tools to help make self‑reflection and self‑advocacy part of everyday practice. Participants were encouraged to:

• Track achievements regularly – weekly or monthly
• Share progress with managers, mentors, or trusted colleagues to build stronger relationships
• Set personal and professional goals and reflect on progress
• Practise talking about achievements in supportive environments to build confidence over time

Small, consistent habits can make a big difference.

Thank You

We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to all our participants for their openness, generosity, and support for one another, and to Morgan Stanley for hosting this impactful session. A special thank you again to Lucy King for facilitating such a thoughtful and empowering workshop.

Sessions like this remind us of the power of community, reflection, and shared learning. We look forward to bringing more #IamRemarkable conversations to the Friends of Equate network in the future.