Visibility at Work
If You Want to Grow Your Career, Good Work Alone Isn't Enough
One common pattern I see when coaching women in healthcare is this:
They're incredibly capable. They work hard. They're dependable. Their managers trust them. Their colleagues rely on them.
And yet, when promotion opportunities arise or exciting new projects become available, they sometimes find themselves wondering:
"Why wasn't I considered?"
For many of us, we grew up believing that excellent work would naturally speak for itself. Unfortunately, that is not always the case.
The reality is that while strong performance is essential, it isn't always enough. Leaders can't recognize contributions they don't fully see, especially in today's fast-moving workplaces where everyone is juggling competing priorities.
The goal isn't to become someone you're not.
The goal to make your impact visible.
Visibility Isn't Bragging
This is often where people become uncomfortable. Many women equate visibility with self-promotion. We worry about sounding arrogant or taking credit that isn't deserved. But there's an important distinction.
Visibility isn't about making yourself look more important than you are. It's about making sure the value you're already creating doesn't stay invisible.
One book that was gifted to me by a friend at Genentech years ago reframed this idea for me: Brag! The Art of Tooting Your Own Horn Without Blowing It by Peggy Klaus.
Klaus argues that many talented professionals avoid talking about their accomplishments because it feels uncomfortable. The result is that others often have no idea of the scope of their contributions.
She introduces the idea of "bragging" as simply sharing facts about your work in a genuine, conversational way. You are not exaggerating or boasting, you are simply helping the people around you understand the impact you're having.
Think Bigger Than Your Job Description
Another book in a similar vein that I frequently recommend is Playing Big by Tara Mohr.
While the book covers much more than visibility at work, one of its central themes is that many women unintentionally hold themselves back by staying small by waiting until they feel completely ready, assuming someone else will notice their potential, or hesitating to speak up with their ideas.
Mohr posits that playing bigger doesn't necessarily mean working harder, often it can mean becoming more willing to contribute your perspective, raising your hand for stretch opportunities, and letting others see what you're capable of.
A Few Small Ways to Increase Your Visibility
Fortunately, visibility doesn't require becoming the loudest person in the room.
You can start by:
Sharing project updates and outcomes with key stakeholders.
Speaking up in meetings.
Volunteering for cross-functional projects that expand your network.
Giving presentations or leading discussions when opportunities arise.
Keeping a running list of accomplishments so you're prepared for performance reviews and promotion conversations.
Regularly sharing work updates with your leadership.
These small actions build over time.
If This Feels Uncomfortable, You're Not Alone
If you're an introvert or you work primarily from home, increasing your visibility may feel especially challenging.
As an introvert myself, I understand the temptation to believe that your good work should speak for itself. Speaking up in meetings, attending networking events, or sharing your accomplishments doesn't always come naturally.
Remote work can add another complicating layer. Without hallway conversations, casual lunches, or impromptu chats after meetings, it's easier for great work to happen quietly in the background.
But here's the reality: visibility matters, regardless of your personality or work environment.
That doesn't mean pretending to be someone you're not. It means being intentional about creating opportunities for others to see your contributions. You might schedule a virtual coffee with a colleague, volunteer to present a project update, or simply make a habit of sharing the outcomes of your work with the people who need to know.
Growth often begins just outside our comfort zone.
You don't have to become the most outspoken person in the room, but you do have to make it a little easier for your work to be visible.
Your Work Deserves to Be Seen
If you're consistently delivering great work but feel like your career isn't moving forward, it may not be a performance problem, it may be a visibility problem.
You don't need to become someone else to improve this. You simply need to make it easier for the right people to see the value you're already creating.
That's not bragging.
That's leadership.
Ready to become more visible and intentional in your career?
I help women leaders in healthcare and biotech build confidence, navigate career growth, and create sustainable success, all without sacrificing the life they've worked so hard to build.
Learn more about coaching or schedule a complimentary discovery call.
Want to read more about networking as an introvert? Read here.
