Your silent excellence is costing you.
You’re smart, talented, and working super hard, but others seem to get noticed and move up faster. Sound familiar?
It’s maddening…but fixable!
Here’s the thing — it’s not enough to be doing great work; it’s about being seen and recognized for your talents, contributions, and potential.
The reality is that your expertise and your value must be visible to those who make decisions about your career. By intentionally increasing your visibility, you’re not being boastful; you’re ensuring that your hard work translates into the recognition, opportunities, and advancement (cha-ching!) you truly deserve.
Here are some effective ways to increase your visibility at work:
1. Speak up and be heard. Contribute actively in meetings rather than staying silent. It helps to speak up early rather than waiting until the end of the meeting, when everyone is in a rush to wrap up. Prepare a few talking points in advance so you’re ready to engage.
2. Highlight your achievements. Keep a record of your accomplishments and accolades each week (use our Hype Sheet). Think of it as a portfolio of wins you’ll share in team meetings, one-on-ones, and in your performance review. Focus on quantifying results and the impact you’ve made on the business and colleagues.
3. Build a strong network. Develop relationships with men and women across departments and management levels. Find peers for mutual mentoring and senior leaders who will advocate for your work. Join employee resource groups, professional organizations, and attend industry events with friends or colleagues.
4. Seek high-impact projects. Look for high-visibility projects with strategic importance to the organization. Take on stretch assignments that demonstrate your capabilities. Propose solutions to solve the pain points within the company or with key customers.
5. Become a thought leader. Share your expertise through presentations, articles, or internal communications. Participate in panels or lead training sessions in your area of expertise. Develop a data-driven, distinctive perspective that adds value to team projects.
Increasing your visibility isn’t about shouting the loudest — it’s about strategically showcasing your value in ways that feel authentic to you. Start small by picking just one or two of these strategies to focus on this month. Then, add another until it all becomes second nature.
If you stick with it, you’ll start shining a little brighter. And watch the opportunities come your way.
You’re equipt to be more visible,
Kelly Mooney
