I know what you’re thinking, “I don’t want to be visible. If I just get my head down and do a good job, then I will get recognition” – and that does work for a while, until it doesn’t any more. That’s when you start to notice the less experienced (and frankly less skilled) team members being promoted ahead of you or your colleagues being given the exciting projects you wanted.
This can result in you feeling:
- Frustrated, especially when that less experienced person starts throwing their weight around
- Resentful at those around you at work, who pull on you but you never get thanks for it
- Invisible and like your voice doesn’t matter
This can be soul destroying and can take you from coasting in a job that isn’t that rewarding to feeling like you just need to get the hell out before you lose your sh*t with someone (insert colleague or family member, as its started spilling into work)
Uncomfortable as it may be for you, the reality is – to get recognition and to feel more valued at work – you need to be visible. But how? I am going to share some tips below on how to get more visible and “raise your profile” without feeling like you’re selling your soul to the devil
- Speak up more in meetings – this is the number one way to get yourself visible. It’s important that you get your voice heard and contribute in meetings. If you’re not, what’s the point in you being there anyway? If the thought of this makes you uncomfortable, make sure you are well prepared before the meeting with some ideas of what you could contribute, no matter how small. Even making sure you are on a call / in the room early enough to contribute to the ‘small talk’ at the beginning of a meeting can help you to build rapport with your colleagues and show them your human side.
- Grow your network – if you find yourself siloed in your department or even within your company, then its time to broaden your network. It’s a great way to increase your overall awareness of the company or industry and it has the bonus of increasing your visibility. You can do this through formal networking events but if that fills you with dread, there are other ways! Listen to this podcast episode for more tips on building your network: Oh for Food’s Sake: How to build your network
- Strengthen your relationship with your boss – your relationship with your line manager really matters. They often hold the key to unlocking your visibility in an organisation so its important that they like and trust you. It is also important that they understand what you do and what you are achieving. In 1:1 meetings, when they ask you how a certain project is going, it can be tempted to just say “it’s all under control” but that really down plays what you have had to do to keep things under control. So make sure you expand with statements like “well, I averted an issue last week by doing X and now it is under control” – by making it clear the project is smooth sailing because of your actions is a much more powerful message than “it’s fine”. This is how you get the recognition you deserve. Don’t assume your boss will appreciate all the work going on behind the scenes.
- Find a mentor – one of the greatest things you can do for your career advancement is find yourself a mentor. They can offer valuable advice and will often serve as ‘sponsors’ for you, within the company and further afield (you’re tapping into their network as well as your own now!). Not sure where to find a mentor? You can start by asking thinking about the people you really look up to within (or outside of) your organisation. Who would you aspire to be in a few years time? Don’t be afraid to ask, many people are really flattered to be asked to be a mentor.
By doing some or all of these things, you can go from being “the good, solid, reliable one” who just gets her head down and gets on with the job – to standing out from the crowd and getting the recognition and career fulfilment you truly deserve.
It can be hard to do this stuff alone, if you need a helping hand, I can help with my course launching in September “Invisible to Valued” – you can join the waiting list and be the first to get all the details by clicking on this link: https://www.subscribepage.com/impactandinfluencecourse
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