When you were in school, you learned that hard work was the key to success. If you did your homework, paid attention in class, and studied hard, the results were straightforward. The harder you worked, the higher your grades. And if you worked even harder, you might even graduate with honors. The system was clear: your effort directly led to your success. 

But then you enter the workplace. And suddenly, you realize that this rule is no longer so obvious. Of course, hard work is still important, but it is no longer the only factor. You could work all day, night, and into the early hours, producing outstanding results, but if no one knows what you're doing, not much will change. You won't automatically get noticed. Your performance won't be recognized by itself. 

At work, it's not only about what you do but also who sees it. It's about being visible at the right times and to the right people. This is not a lesson you get in school, but it is crucial for your career. 

When I started working, I had the same mindset I had in school: if I work hard and do my best, success will come automatically. I had no idea how important visibility was in the workplace. 

I still clearly remember a period in my career when I took on a project completely by myself. It was a huge task, and I threw myself into it – long days, long nights, and I made sure everything was perfect. The project was ultimately a success, but when it came time to present the results, the contribution of a colleague who had sought visibility was highlighted.

This colleague was constantly in meetings, keeping everyone informed of progress, and promoting himself at every opportunity. I hadn’t done any of that, and that day I learned that hard work isn’t always enough if no one knows what you're doing. 

I also remember being so frustrated, even angry, that I called in sick for two days. I was afraid I would express my frustration in the wrong way. When I returned to work, my manager came to me and apologized. He had heard from colleagues what my contribution had been to the project. He also told me that I needed to share this in the future.

I asked myself: “Why should I make myself visible? Isn’t it the responsibility of my manager to recognize my contributions?”

That’s a legitimate question, and in an ideal world, every manager would take the time to actively see who is contributing and in what way. However, the reality is often different.

Managers not only have the task of evaluating the performance of their team members but also of leading the entire team, developing strategies, and managing various priorities. They often deal with busy schedules, multiple projects, and a large number of employees. This makes it difficult for them to continuously monitor who is doing what and how much of an impact someone’s work truly has. Recognizing individual contributions takes time and attention, which in practice can be hard to find.

Therefore, the responsibility for visibility doesn’t lie solely with the manager but also with you. It’s your job to make your work visible so that it doesn’t get lost in the crowd. It’s important to realize that if you don’t actively communicate your achievements and successes, your manager or colleagues may not be aware of them.

This doesn’t mean you need to boast, but you do need to think strategically about how to showcase your work. This can be done by regularly providing updates, sharing your progress in meetings, and ensuring that your contribution is clearly noticed by the right people. This way, you create a situation where your work is seen without unfairly taking up too much of your manager’s time.

What if you find this too complicated and, like me, are more of an introvert?

That’s an excellent question, and it’s certainly relevant, as many people worry about how they can make themselves visible at work without feeling uncomfortable, especially if they are naturally introverted. Visibility doesn’t mean you have to force yourself to always be in the spotlight, but it does mean you can present yourself in a way that suits your personality.

Fortunately, there are a few ways you can work on your visibility as an introvert:

1. Speak Strategically 

As an introvert, you may not feel the need to lead every conversation, and that's perfectly fine. The key is that when you do speak, you offer a valuable contribution. This could be in meetings or discussions where you can share your expertise. Prepare in advance by thinking about what you want to contribute. This makes it easier to jump in at the right moment without feeling overwhelmed. Instead of pushing yourself to speak constantly, you can choose moments where your contribution has the most impact.

2. Leverage Written Communication

If you're not comfortable always communicating verbally, it can help to increase your visibility through written communication. Send a follow-up email after meetings with a summary of what was discussed and add your own insights or suggestions. This makes your contribution visible without always needing to speak. Additionally, you can regularly send updates or reports to your manager or colleagues to share your progress, keeping you visible without too much emphasis on personal interaction.

3. Strengthen Your Presence in Smaller, Informal Settings

Visibility doesn’t always have to happen in large meetings. Sometimes, it’s more effective to make your presence felt in smaller, informal conversations or one-on-ones with colleagues. This could be during lunch or coffee breaks. These moments allow you to network, share ideas, and build relationships without the pressure of a formal setting. These informal conversations can give you just as much visibility as a presentation in a large meeting.

4. Find a Mentor or Sponsor

As an introvert, you can increase your visibility by finding a mentor or sponsor within the organization. A mentor can help you identify and strategically utilize your strengths, while a sponsor can recommend you for projects or promotions. This is a way to make your work and value visible through someone else, which is often less confrontational but still effective.

5. Focus on Your Expertise

Introverts are often naturally experts in their fields because they take the time to listen carefully and think things through. Use this trait to make yourself visible by sharing your expertise. This could be through giving presentations on topics you excel at, writing articles or blog posts about trends in your field, or sharing your knowledge within your team when solving problems. The goal is not just to showcase your work but also to demonstrate that you're a valuable source of knowledge and insight.

6. Create and Use Digital Visibility 

In today’s work environment, digital visibility can be a powerful tool, especially for introverts. You can actively participate in internal communication channels, such as company forums or Slack groups, where you can share ideas without being physically present. This helps you stay on your colleagues’ and managers’ radar without requiring you to be in the spotlight.

7. Listen Actively and Show Interest in Others

An introvert can increase their visibility by showing genuine interest in others and actively listening. By asking questions, offering good suggestions, and being sincerely engaged, you can become visible as a valuable and reliable colleague. Visibility doesn’t always mean talking; sometimes, it’s even more appreciated when you actively play a supportive role and celebrate the successes of others.

Visibility as an introvert is not about overcoming your natural self, but about finding ways to show your contribution in a manner that feels comfortable for you. It’s not about shouting for attention but finding smart, authentic ways to ensure you don’t go unnoticed. You can be visible by letting your work speak for itself, sharing your knowledge, and building relationships without forcing yourself into the spotlight. 

Some may view visibility as selfish, as if it's all about putting yourself in the foreground.

But visibility is actually the opposite. It’s not about a big ego but about growth – both personally and professionally – and collaboration. 

When you are visible, you not only create opportunities for yourself but also make others aware of what you contribute. This strengthens trust within teams, fosters innovation, and ensures that talent is better utilized. For an organization, where collaboration and innovation are crucial, this is indispensable. 

Becoming visible does require courage. It’s sometimes daunting to share your work or successes and it can make you feel vulnerable. But I am convinced that by being visible, you inspire others and contribute to a culture where appreciation and recognition are at the center.

So, my question to you: what’s one thing you can do today to become more visible? Maybe it's talking to a colleague to share your ideas, celebrating a success with your team, or simply acknowledging your progress in a meeting. 

This is not a call to shout over others, but rather to show yourself as you are: with your qualities, insights, and value. Not just for yourself, but also for your colleagues, your team, and ultimately for the company you work for.