Talent alone isn’t enough to guarantee career advancement. You can be the most skilled, hardworking person on your team, but if nobody knows about your contributions, you’ll likely watch others get promoted while you remain overlooked. The harsh reality is that visibility matters just as much as competency when it comes to climbing the corporate ladder.
Many professionals, especially women and introverts, struggle with workplace visibility. We’re taught to keep our heads down, let our work speak for itself, and wait for recognition to come naturally. But here’s what nobody tells you: excellent work performed in silence is often work that goes unnoticed by the decision-makers who control your career trajectory.
The key isn’t to become inauthentic or overly aggressive—it’s about being strategically visible in ways that showcase your value while building genuine relationships with colleagues and leadership.
We all remember that girl from secondary school, the one who always raised her hand, volunteered for every task, and spoke up even when her classmates rolled their eyes. In my school, we called such girls ‘Busybody’ or ‘Boz-eyy’ for short. Here’s the truth: there was absolutely nothing wrong with her approach and If you want to become a leader at work and climb the ranks, you need to channel that same energy, just with more strategic finesse.
The reality is simple, people need to know you and your work. While you might be fortunate enough to have colleagues who champion your work in rooms where you’re absent, you can’t rely on that alone. It’s your responsibility to ensure your name and contributions reach the people who matter most. This is what strategic workplace visibility looks like:
Speaking up in meetings
Meetings are your stage to shine. Ask thoughtful questions, seek clarification when needed, and share your insights confidently. There’s no wrong approach here, just be respectful and authentic. You already have brilliant ideas; it’s time to let them see daylight.
Volunteering for projects beyond your core role
Join the committee planning the big project, offer to coordinate a colleague’s farewell gathering, or create systems to streamline processes. These small contributions demonstrate that you’re dependable and collaborative, one of the fastest ways to build genuine likability and expand your network.
Owning your achievements
When you accomplish something significant, take full credit in front of your peers while graciously acknowledging your team’s support. Be humble, but never downplay the effort and skill that drove your success. Most importantly, don’t let anyone else claim your accomplishments. Own them, celebrate them, and share them widely when appropriate.
Implement these strategies and let me know how they work for you. I’d love to hear about your results and the opportunities that open up when you start making your contributions more visible.
