When May Busch left her 24-year career in investment banking—where she earned 10 promotions in one of the most competitive fields in the world—she carried with her a mission that would become the foundation of her international bestselling book, Visible: How to Advance Your Career Without Playing Politics, Selling Your Soul, or Working Yourself Into the Ground.

“I saw so many talented, smart, hardworking, dedicated people who always tried to do the right thing,” May explains in our recent interview. “People who cared about other human beings—I saw them top out or go sideways, while others who were less experienced, maybe even less capable, were just zooming ahead. It felt unfair.”

That sense of unfairness, combined with May’s own struggles to navigate corporate politics without compromising her values, became the catalyst for a book that’s resonating far beyond the boardroom. “I didn’t want everybody else to have to suffer through as many mistakes and issues as I did,” she says.

A Book That Grew Beyond Its Original Vision

May’s journey to publication began with what she describes as a “pencil sketch”—a 100-page booklet called Accelerated: Nine Capabilities to Achieve Success at Any Career Stage. But through the book coaching and publishing process with Summit Press, that sketch transformed into something much more substantial.

“What surprised me was what I had to leave out of the book in order to have it be this book,” May reflects. In one pivotal moment, she fought to keep two frameworks that ultimately would have diluted the book’s core message. “Removing something was unlocking the best of what the book could be,” she says. That focus made all the difference.

The final product speaks for itself. Visible has sold over 1,000 copies—a key benchmark in the publishing industry. More importantly, it’s become the book that bridges corporate ambition with authentic leadership, showing readers how to stand out without selling out.

The Power of Strategic Relationships

One of the most striking aspects of May’s approach—both in her book and her launch—is her understanding of strategic relationships. The book dedicates significant space to identifying and nurturing the people who influence your career trajectory, from quiet behind-the-scenes advisors to visible champions.

During her launch, that philosophy paid off spectacularly. Her ambassador group, built from years of genuine relationship investment, drove a surge of sales that took everyone by surprise. “These people were so thrilled to help,” May notes. “Their ability to talk about the book in a concentrated period really drove the book straight over the finish line.”

Creating Ripples, Not Splashes

Since publication, May has watched her book create what she calls “ripple effects” across her business. Speaking opportunities have multiplied. A connection at Arizona State University—where she’s taught for 12 years—led to television appearances on Fox and other media outlets. A panel discussion resulted in an invitation to speak at a major company she’d been hoping to break into.

“Writing and publishing a book and then promoting it is like throwing a stone into still water,” May explains. “It just ripples, ripples, ripples. You have no idea—the ripples can reach the other side of the entire pond and echo back.”

The contrast with her first book is stark. Without a promotion plan, that book “just dropped straight down to the bottom,” she admits. This time, with a clear strategy and consistent support, everything changed.

A Different Kind of Publishing Partnership

What made the difference? May points to the book coaching process as pivotal. “I would be rewriting the same three paragraphs over and over again,” she says. “But the regular calls, the homework deadlines, the excellent feedback—it gave me process, rhythm, cadence, and confidence.”

She’s particularly grateful for what she calls “not being a bullshitter” in the feedback. “You weren’t going to let me write something that was crap, and you were going to stick with me until it got to this point of clarity.”

Who Am I NOT To Do This?

Perhaps the most powerful shift in May’s journey came from reframing her mindset around promotion. Instead of asking “Who am I to get on live TV? Who am I to post on social media?” she started asking, “Who am I NOT to do these things? Who am I to withhold all of this great advice?”

For aspiring authors sitting on the fence, May’s advice is simple: “You have to throw the pebble

into the pond first. You have to make that first move—to publish the book, to promote it, to talk about it, to post about it.”

The results speak for themselves. May Busch isn’t just an international bestselling author. She’s proof that the right book, developed with the right partnership and promoted with intention, can create opportunities you never imagined—and help the people who need your wisdom most.

Want to learn more about May’s approach to career advancement? Pick up your copy of Visible: How to Advance Your Career Without Playing Politics, Selling Your Soul, or Working Yourself Into the Ground today.