Let’s Get Visible

I loved the idea of the Harry Potter invisibility cloak to be in the room and know what was happening without any chance that people would notice or ask you a question. And that is how I started my earlier career, wearing the equivalent of an invisibility cloak. I wanted to blend in and have people think of me as wallpaper in the room. And then, I realized that this was not a great career strategy and hurt my clients, who would not get access to my strategic thinking and thought leadership.

So, I went through a process of getting more comfortable with the idea of being visible. I started speaking at meetings and panels, mentioning what I was working on and what I accomplished, and sharing my thoughts. And I took the time to reflect on "failures" to determine what I could learn and how to grow. I built on each small success and became more comfortable and confident which each success.

Here are six ways you can be more visible at work:

‍Focus on Your Mindset.‍

Our mindset and our habit of being invisible can undermine our efforts to increase our presence. It would be best if you noticed when your voice tells you not to raise your profile. You then need to understand that while the voices think they are helping you, they are holding you back and you need to act.

‍Calendar Time for Networking‍

Calendar time each week to be in contact with people in both your internal and external networks. Go to different networking events so you can expand your network. Think strategically about what you could share about your work or accomplishments. If it feels braggy, do it with a story or a compliment someone gave you. ‍

Keep a List of Accomplishments‍

Be aware of your accomplishments and share them with others. With key decision makers such as your boss, you want regular updates so they understand what you do throughout the year. If this is difficult for you, you can also enlist the help of a Brag Buddy. You both will share each other's accomplishments and strengths.‍

Share Your Thought Leadership‍

Let people know what you are thinking about. This means speaking up at meetings. If this is uncomfortable, write out all you want to say and think about possible objections and questions. The more prepared you are, the easier it will feel. As you get more comfortable, you will slowly reduce your prep time.

You can also share your thought leadership on panels and LinkedIn. All of this will raise your profile, making you more attractive as a hire or for a promotion.‍

Earn a Sponsor‍

As I mentioned in past blogs, having a sponsor can catapult a career by increasing your visibility. You must earn a sponsorship, but they can exponentially increase your exposure.

‍Do the Work that Matters‍

Stop saying yes to all the background work that is given little credit and does not get noticed. Instead, look for more strategic assignments to allow others to see all you offer.

The type of work you take on impacts your career - choose wisely and advocate for yourself. When I was the first to raise my hand for a strategic project sponsored by my GC, it opened many doors. I developed more robust relationships with senior people, showed my business owner's mentality, and presented in front of the executive group.

When I decided to increase my visibility, it did not happen overnight. It was taking a consistent approach and, over time, becoming more comfortable putting myself out there. It was not always easy, but the rewards were great. I know you can do it.

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Want to learn more about how to become the in-house leader you are meant to be?

Check out Sheila's 10 Tips for In-House Counsel Struggling to Advance.

In this guide, Sheila shares her time-tested tips for in-house counsel to release fear, jump-start your career, and propel towards promotion.