You can’t be invisible forever

Visibility is the secret currency of career growth

The conversation around visibility at work has been a big one lately. On one hand, you have people who firmly believe you have to be in the office to be successful, and on the other, those who reject that idea as antiquated. It’s ironic because I’ve been seeing that very conversation play out in real time as I navigate my career. I used to be a firm “head down” worker, but now I’m prioritizing visibility. If getting promoted is one of your career goals, you should too—here’s why.

People need to put a name (and face) to your work

You could be the best at what you do, but if your work can’t be connected to you then it does you no favors from a growth standpoint. Most of us work in industries that require collaboration to put out a finished product and your work as an individual can easily get lost in the mix.

Increasing your visibility at work ensures that your peers, manager, and higher-ups understand your contributions and capabilities. In turn, your expertise is highly valued and you’re more than just a name on an org chart—you’re a tangible key player.

Promotions aren’t solely based on good work

There used to be a time when simply doing good work got you promoted. You worked hard, checked the boxes, got good reviews, and were rewarded with a promotion. Now, there’s a little more involved in the process. Your manager should be your champion when it comes to putting you up for promotion, but if they have tell a room full of VPs who you are and what you’ve done, it can put you at a disadvantage compared to someone who’s more visible. This is especially true if promotions are competitive or only a certain amount can be approved.

Maintaining visibility throughout the year makes it easier for your manager to make a case for you promotion and for the “promotion approvers” to agree with that decision. Instead of having to tell your whole story, your manager can just show a highlight reel to serve as a reminder for your awesome work. Higher-ups will already have an idea of who you are, what skills you already have, and your potential to thrive at the next level.

Visibility helps you build, and maintain, working relationships

Collaboration is highly valued in workplaces today, especially cross-functionally. Networking within your company and building relationships will go a long way towards your career growth. The relationships you build are valuable during review season and outside of it. When you get to know your coworkers and maintain a rapport with them, it’s easier to navigate challenges that may arise during projects. You can call out roadblocks and come together to rectify them without the tension that comes with being unfamiliar with who you’re working with.

How can you be more visible at work?

If putting yourself out there sounds daunting, I have good news: There are multiple ways to increase your visibility at work. The best method for you will depend on your career goals and workplace culture.

• Go into the office- There’s no doubt that physically being in the office can automatically boost your visibility, but you have to do this wisely. A few ways to maximize your office time are speaking to your colleagues, contributing in meetings, and scheduling 1:1 meetings with your manager.
• Volunteer to present your work-This is a great way to put yourself in front of a larger group and attach yourself to your work. If the opportunity comes up to present a project during a town hall or large meeting, take it!
• Schedule 1:1 meetings and coffee chats- Personal connections can go a long way. You can have a 1:1 meeting with anyone from a cross-functional coworker to your skip-level manager. Make sure to have relevant topics or questions ready so that the meetings are meaningful.
• Request high-visibility work-This is a great opportunity to showcase your skills and get in front of leadership. Usually high-visibility work means you’ll be in more intimate meetings with decision-makers, giving you ore opportunities to get noticed.
• Knowledge share- An unassuming yet effective method to increase your visibility at work. This can be as simple as sharing an article about industry trends with a leader, or as robust as teaching your team how to use a new tool. Both open up lines of communication and position you as a subject matter expert.

All in all, visibility at work is important for your career growth, but working in-person isn’t the only way to achieve it. Ideally, a combination of the above suggestions will put you in a sweet spot for a promotion, but if you work remotely, there’s still plenty of ways to get noticed. Take it from someone who’s actively learning and applying all of these things to her own career!

Until next time,