Years ago, I was at a rooftop party where I met an entrepreneurial powerhouse. We got to talking about an award competition she aspired to win one day. This 29-year-old, African American Ph.D. student had built a tech company that provided a valuable service to her community and was way more accomplished than others in her industry. I could not for the life of me figure out why she had not already applied—she would have been a shoe-in.

Having spent over 15 years running PR firms and as the co-founder of the SDI Space and Defense Innovator of the Year Awards, I see this story play out time and time again.

So many extremely qualified, brilliant leaders don’t take the shot. They tell themselves they are not ready for the limelight. They tell themselves they are not qualified to speak on that panel. They tell themselves the competition will be too much and that they are not worthy of that award. They tell themselves they have not done enough, that they don’t know enough to provide value. They say they’re too busy trying to get to that next step in their career first.

So, they don’t take the shot, and in not taking the shot, they don’t get the recognition. They don’t build the network and they lose out on so many opportunities that could have made a difference in building their profile and career.

While the example above highlighted an entrepreneur, the recognition and impact that awards make are not for industry alone. From government and academia to dual-use investors and military leaders, awards programs can have a powerful impact on your personal brands throughout the aerospace and defense ecosystem.

Why Take the Shot?

Awards don’t provide just a new plaque for your office wall. In a crowded market, they’re increasingly a key part of building your personal brand –which can have some pretty impressive impacts for your career. Why?

  1. Awards differentiate you and drive career growth. They provide credibility via third-party validation and help to differentiate you from others in your field, showing that you and your team drive innovation and excellence. For companies, this can help attract customers or teaming partners. For individuals in the military and government, these are great additions to packages highlighting your leadership above your peers for promotion.
  2. Awards publicity is valuable. In addition to offering great content for LinkedIn and other social forums, as well as banners and icons that can go on websites, some programs offer media coverage that can provide valuable publicity to boost your professional profile and help you gain visibility among your peers, with prospective customers, and or investors. Winners of the SDI awards for example, will be profiled in a special feature in Defense News.
  3. Awards programs can lead to new partnerships and opportunities. Industry recognition generally opens doors to more opportunities for promotion. From conference organizers to customers and investors, people want to work with proven and credible leaders. The third-party validation that comes from winning award competitions boosts your bio and puts you in front of new audiences who might not have previously known about your expertise. They enable you to have conversations and make connections that you might not otherwise make.

You’ve decided to apply. Now what?

Here are a few tips and tricks to consider when submitting:

  1. Tell a compelling story. Show - don’t tell - your strengths. Clearly explain how you’ve made a difference and been innovative. Provide concrete evidence like data, media coverage, links to high-profile speaking engagements, and other supporting materials that demonstrate your unique achievements and impact while aligning with the award’s specific goals and values.
  2. Read the Room. Look at the awards website and application carefully to ensure you are speaking to what seems to matter most. Are they looking for innovators? Highlight the impact your innovation has made and how it has changed lives and your industry; don’t just share generic leadership experience. Focusing on what is important to that audience can go a long way in helping you stand out.
  3. Start early and choose your award category carefully. Give yourself plenty of time to prepare a thoughtful submission. Carefully read the criteria and make sure you’re appropriate for the category you’re interested in.
  4. Consider feedback. Seek input from colleagues or mentors if possible.
  5. Be clear with your language. While it’s tempting to use shorthand, avoid jargon and use plain language. Answer all of the questions completely and stay within word limits.
  6. Proofread. Check for grammar errors. Few things are more distracting than silly mistakes, which can show a lack of attention to detail.

Looking for your next shot?

If you’re a leader driving the future of aerospace and defense in government, industry, or academia, the SDI Awards want to hear from you! If you’re setting new standards, breaking boundaries, and redefining what’s possible across the aerospace and defense sectors, you should consider applying for our awards program. Nominations close on January 20, 2025. Winners will be announced at the SDI Reception in Austin, TX, on March 8, 2025.

Need assistance with submissions? Chat with your marketing or communications teams. Or, reach out to www.DistinctiveEdge.Partners. We’re always happy to help!