Why You’re Not Getting Noticed at Work

Good Work Isn’t Enough

You’re doing good work. You’re meeting expectations, maybe even exceeding them. You’re keeping things running, solving problems, showing up prepared. But somehow, you’re still flying under the radar.

People talk about visibility like it’s a personality trait—like you either “have presence” or you don’t. But that’s not true. Visibility is a skill. It’s the ability to make your work—and your value—clear to the people who make decisions. It has nothing to do with being loud, fake, or self-promotional. And everything to do with being intentional.

Because here’s the reality: in most professional settings, people aren’t paying as much attention to you as you think. They’re busy. Distracted. Focused on their own deliverables and inboxes. So, unless you show them, they won’t see what you’re doing—even when it’s excellent.

This isn’t about playing games. It’s about making sure the right people actually know what you’re contributing. The good news? You don’t need to become someone else to be seen. You just need a few small shifts in how you show up, speak up, and share your work.

Let’s break that down.

You’re Not as Obvious as You Think

We assume good work speaks for itself. But at work, it usually doesn’t speak at all.

There’s a cognitive bias called the illusion of transparency—the belief that our thoughts and effort are more obvious to others than they actually are. So, when you spend hours saving a project or smoothing over a crisis, you might think everyone notices. But often, no one does.

Effort is invisible unless you highlight it. Not in a self-congratulatory way—in a responsible, strategic way. People aren’t ignoring you. They’re just not tuned into your frequency. Your job is to help them hear it.

Speak, Even If It’s Brief

You don’t need to dominate the conversation. But you do need to enter it.

Research shows that people who speak up in meetings are seen as more competent, regardless of what they actually say. Silence gets misread. Presence gets remembered.

Not sure what to say? Ask a question. Summarize a point. Signal agreement. You’re not trying to impress anyone—you’re simply letting people know you’re paying attention and contributing value.

Visibility starts with showing up audibly.

Get Known Before You’re Needed

Promotions and stretch projects don’t go to the best-kept secrets.

You don’t need to network aggressively or campaign for attention. But you do need to stay visible in the flow of work. A quick check-in. A short project update. A thoughtful comment in a shared doc. These small signals build trust and familiarity.

People are more likely to pull you in when your name already feels familiar—and when your contributions are already known.

Make Your Work Unforgettable

Most people describe what they did. Few explain why it mattered.

Turn this:

“I updated the reporting dashboard.”

Into this:

“I simplified the dashboard so the team can get insights 2x faster.”

This isn’t spin. It’s clarity. You’re translating your work into language others can act on, talk about, and remember.

That’s how you stay top-of-mind—even after the meeting ends.

Stay Visible Without Performing

You don’t need a personal brand. You need a rhythm.

The best kind of visibility is quiet, steady, and sustainable. It looks like:

• Mentioning a recent win in a 1:1

• Giving a quick update in a team stand-up

• Sharing a small success in Slack

• Looping someone in when your work supports theirs

None of these require overthinking. But done consistently, they change how people see you—and where they place you.

Your Weekly Visibility Boost Checklist

A short ritual to keep your work seen, shared, and valued:

• ✅ Share one small win

• ✅ Speak once in a group setting (even briefly)

• ✅ Ask one teammate what they’re working on

• ✅ Track your own progress somewhere visible

Pick one to start. Then repeat. Small moves compound.

Let’s Make Sure Your Work Gets Seen

You’re probably doing something right now that deserves more credit than it’s getting. Don’t let it stay invisible.

What’s one win you’ve had this week? Hit reply and share it with me—no spin, no fluff. Just the real story. I’ll read every one.