"Be more visible" is one of the most misunderstood pieces of career advice.
The mistake is thinking visibility comes from doing more of this:
- Speaking more in meetings.
- Scheduling more coffee chats.
- Attending more networking or social events.
That's treating visibility as the input.
But it isn't.
Visibility is an output.
It's what happens when people understand your work and recognize its value.
They see how it helps them or the organization.
And they know how to build on it.
Here are four behaviors that naturally create visibility:
1. Connect your work to organizational priorities.
Help people understand not just what you delivered, but why it matters and how it contributes to the outcomes the organization is trying to achieve.
2. Seek feedback before your work is finished.
People gain visibility into your thinking, not just the final deliverable. The work also gets better through their input.
3. Share what your team learned.
Use demos, town halls, or brown bags to teach others what worked, what didn't, and how they can apply or build on your approach.
4. Recognize the people who contributed.
Giving credit helps others understand how the work came together, strengthens relationships, and creates visibility for the entire team.
One last thing, intent matters.
If your goal is to get noticed, people usually see right through it.
If your goal is to help others understand your work, recognize its value, and build on it, visibility becomes a natural outcome.
How do you interpret the feedback, "be more visible"?