Building Visibility Through Confidence, Clarity and Courage
Have you ever watched a less qualified colleague get all the credit for the work you have done or get a promotion you have been secretly longing for?
We have all been there at a certain point in our careers. I speak on a daily basis with my coaching clients who often struggle with putting themselves out there. If this article triggers your interest, the chances are you are there, too, hiding and waiting for someone else to find you and put you in the spotlight. If you are doing great work, the chances are someone eventually will, but personally, I do not like to give the full control of my career success to others; I prefer to shape it myself.
In my coaching practice, I look at two major levels from which you can tackle any challenge or goal. These two levels come from David McClelland's Iceberg Model and are the basis of his Motivation Theory. This theory links our behavior: the visible, above the water level, to our unconscious, invisible level, which is shaped by our beliefs, values and drives. If we want to achieve long-term behavioral change, we need to uncover the deeper level. We need to know what truly motivates us, what we believe we are both capable and not capable of doing.
Tactical Level Of Visibility: Above The Waterline
At the tactical level, we look at practical actions you can take to increase your visibility. Before we get into actions, first, consider some questions to reflect on your behavior, competencies and knowledge related to visibility.
1. Where do I actively make my work visible?
2. What have I already tried to increase my visibility?
3. What visibility-related skills do I already have (e.g., storytelling, public speaking)?
4. Do I have experiences I could draw from to be more visible (e.g., successful projects, collaborations)?
5. Do I know who the key decision-makers, gatekeepers or influencers are around me?
Reflecting on those can give you a great starting point to understand what you already have 'in-house' and what still needs working on.
Take Your Tactical Visibility To The Next Level
Visibility requires showing up in the right spaces: team check-ins, project kick-offs, key decision meetings. Sometimes the only thing you need to do is ask. If your company culture is less open, start building relationships with those who already have a seat at the table, and make sure you get invited through them. Always keep in mind to highlight the value you bring.
How many times did you have a brilliant idea, but before you got the courage to speak up, someone else already claimed it and got the credit? Prepare upfront what you want to say, and do not wait till the end of the meeting to share it.
Maybe most importantly, build relationships early on. We can only get so far alone, and visibility can be amplified by others in the places where you are absent. Make sure to identify who is an ally and who is a gatekeeper. Gatekeepers are people who are blocking your access to opportunities, new people, etc. Having a great relationship with people close to your gatekeepers, or with gatekeepers themselves, can speed up your career journey.
Mindset/Deep Work Level: Below The Waterline
The second, deeper and even more important level to look into lies below the waterline. It concerns our mindset (what we think and believe about ourselves, others and the world around us).
We can apply all the tactical tips and tricks, but if we are not careful about our thoughts and beliefs, those will only get us so far.
1. What do I believe about being visible? (e.g., Is it bragging? Is it only for extroverts?)
2. How do I think others see me, and how do I want to be seen?
3. What value do I hold so strongly that I'd be willing to speak up for it, even if it feels uncomfortable?
4. What truly energizes me and gives me a sense of purpose, and how can I be more visible in that space?
Reflecting on those will help you understand how you are holding yourself back. If you have identified limiting beliefs about visibility, you need to challenge those beliefs head-on or nothing will change long-term.
Identify for yourself if you have fallen into one of the three most common visibility traps:
• Perfectionism: 'I will only share an idea if I'm 100% certain.'
Nothing is 100% perfect and certain; the only certain thing is that this trap will keep you stuck. Transform this message into 'Even a half-formed idea can spark something great in others.'
• Fear Of Judgment: You are too focused on what others think of you and fear you will make a fool of yourself.
We do not have control over what others think about us; whatever we do, they will always have their opinion about us. Transform this mental trap into 'If I stay quiet to avoid judgment, I miss out on impact, connection and growth.'
• Waiting For Permission: I work with many women who are brilliant but too often wait for others to validate them and their achievements before they allow themselves to reach for more.
Transform this limiting belief into 'I don't need permission to own my value, I define my worth.'
Final Thoughts
Be aware of the inner chatter and realize it doesn't represent the whole you; it does represent a part of your mind that is driven by fear and wants to keep you small. In the end, beliefs are only beliefs, not holy truths. Choose smartly which ones you buy into.
Always keep in mind: Visibility is just like any other skill, and therefore, you can train it, grow it and make it your own.
Forbes Coaches Council is an invitation-only community for leading business and career coaches. Do I qualify?
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Forbes Coaches Council is an invitation-only community for leading business and career coaches. Do I qualify?
