A while ago, I got feedback that surprised me: I needed to be more visible at work.
I was doing good work. My results were fine. But I rarely went to the office, and I sometimes hesitated to talk to leaders. So the people who make decisions about careers didn’t always see what I was doing.
At first it stung a little. Then I realised it was one of the most useful pieces of feedback I’ve ever had. In this post I share what being visible at work really means, why it matters so much, and the simple changes I made.
What does “being visible at work” mean?
Being visible doesn’t mean being loud or showing off. It means the right people know:
- Who you are. Your name and face are familiar.
- What you work on. They know your projects and your strengths.
- What results you deliver. They’ve heard about your wins.
- What you want next. They know your career goals.
You can be brilliant at your job, but if nobody knows, it’s hard to get promoted, picked for exciting projects or considered for the next role.
Why visibility matters so much
Many of us, especially women and people from cultures where we’re taught to be humble, believe good work speaks for itself. I believed that too.
But in big companies, decisions about promotions and new roles are made by people who are busy. They remember the people they see, hear from and talk to. Visibility is not about ego. It’s about making it easy for others to support you.
Why I wasn’t visible enough
Honestly, two reasons:
- I mostly worked from home. It’s comfortable and productive, but you miss the coffee chats and hallway conversations.
- I hesitated to talk to leaders. I didn’t want to bother busy people, and I wasn’t sure what to say.
Maybe you recognise yourself in this.
What I changed
1. Office every Wednesday
I made Wednesday my fixed office day. I leave home at 7:30 and drive to the office in Amsterdam. It’s a small change, but being there in person makes a big difference. People see you, you bump into leaders, and conversations happen naturally.
2. I picked the leaders I want to know my work
I made a short list: my manager and a few senior leaders. Then I looked for natural ways to connect: a quick chat at the office, a short update on a project, or a question about their priorities.
3. I share my wins (without bragging)
When something goes well, I share it in a simple, factual way: what we did, the result, and who helped. Thanking others while sharing results feels natural and builds good relationships too.
4. I say yes to chances to speak
Presenting is one of the fastest ways to become visible. I’m saying yes to more speaking opportunities, including a talk at a big tech event in November. It scares me a little, and that’s exactly why I’m doing it. My tips for that are in how to prepare for a big presentation.
5. I take the lead on things
When my manager trusted me to lead a new initiative for our region, I said yes. Leading something, even something small, shows leaders what you can do.
Easy ways to be more visible at work
- Go to the office on purpose. Pick the day most of your team and leaders are there.
- Speak once in every meeting. A question, an idea or a summary counts.
- Send short updates. A monthly 5-line email to your manager about wins and plans works wonders.
- Ask for skip-level chats. 20 minutes with your manager’s manager to learn their priorities.
- Volunteer. Lead an internal project, host a session, or mentor someone new.
- Be visible online. Share learnings or wins on internal channels or LinkedIn.
- Tell people what you want. If you want a promotion or new role, say it clearly. I wrote more in how to ask for a raise or promotion.
Visibility when you’re an introvert or new to a country
If you moved abroad like me, there’s an extra layer: different culture, different communication style. In the Netherlands, people are direct and expect you to speak up. Silence can be read as having no opinion. I shared more on this in working in the Netherlands vs India.
Start small. One conversation a week. One update a month. Visibility builds slowly, like a habit.
Frequently asked questions
How can I be more visible at work when working remotely?
Turn your camera on, speak up in meetings, send short updates, and plan regular in-person office days.
Is being visible at work the same as self-promotion?
Not really. It’s about sharing facts about your work and goals so the right people know them. Done simply and with credit to others, it doesn’t feel like bragging.
How do I talk to senior leaders without feeling awkward?
Prepare one question about their priorities and one short update about your work. Keep it short, and follow up with a thank-you message.
How long does it take to become more visible?
A few months of consistent small actions. It’s a habit, not a one-time thing.
Have you ever been told to be more visible at work? Tell me in the comments 👇
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