Roughly a dozen years ago, my then-manager complimented my work but noted my career advancement hinged on improving my "visibility."
Early on in my career, a training session led by a senior manager emphasized the importance of dressing well for success to get noticed and climb the career ladder.
During a calibration meeting, I witnessed an interesting scenario unfold: a peer manager contested another manager's nomination of an analyst on their team for promotion. His objection was, "I hear this person excels, surpasses metrics, and exceeds expectations, which is all fantastic. However, I'm not familiar with them. They should make more of an effort to make themselves visible to management." If their accomplishments and data speak for themselves, why does personal visibility matter so much? (PS: I voiced this at the time too which most managers +1ed the sentiment and the analyst did get a promotion in the end)
More recently, a coachee shared her frustration at being overlooked for a VP position due to lacking "clout" within the organization. When she sought clarity on how to enhance her clout, the vague advice she received from her manager was simply to "be around more" – feedback that left her more confused than enlightened.
Another instance involved a coachee who consistently delivered top-notch presentations and reports, significantly contributing to project successes. Yet, during a review, the feedback was not about the quality of his work but rather the suggestion that "getting your face out there" was equally important. The advice was to spend more time socializing with senior managers outside of formal settings if he wants to progress from team lead to senior management himself.
I hear from colleagues and coachees that they are advised to manage up by attending every 'important' meeting with senior leadership whether they are needed or not, inserting themselves into conversations with important people, and generally making sure their name is everywhere. as a tactic for career advancement through 'showing your face' and often times at the expense of time spent coaching and supporting their own reports.
These behaviors of seeking visibility bring to mind Aesop's fable of The Peacock and the Crane. In the story, a Peacock, flaunting its vibrant tail, taunts a passing Crane for its plain feathers, boasting about its royal-like colors. The Crane responds, acknowledging its lack of color but highlighting its ability to fly high and reach the stars, in contrast to the Peacock, who remains grounded among less remarkable birds. This fable serves as a metaphor for those who prioritize being seen and gaining attention over genuinely empowering and inspiring their teams to surpass their limitations and achieve the extraordinary. Such individuals are akin to the peacock, focusing on surface-level beauty rather than substantive, impactful actions.
The emphasis on "visibility" and political posturing within organizations often overshadows the real essence of impactful work and genuine merit. The focus on needing to be "visible" for the sake of career progression encourages a culture where appearance takes precedence over substance, potentially leading to a work environment that values style over skill.
The Visibility Trap
The visibility approach has several downsides:
Superficial Achievements: Chasing visibility can lead to prioritizing actions that only appear productive or impressive on the surface but lack real impact or value.
The Exhaustion of Constant Self-Promotion: Ever met someone who's always "on", trying too hard to be noticed? It’s tiring for them and annoying for everyone else.
Quantity Over Quality: In the quest for visibility, quantity often overshadows quality. The irony? This approach usually backfires, as genuine achievements get lost in the noise.
Damage to Credibility: While there's some merit to staying top-of-mind, this approach can backfire. It can come across as self-serving, dilute the impact of your actual contributions, and ultimately damage your credibility.
Misdirected Focus: It might not be immediately apparent, but prioritizing the wrong activities comes with a significant opportunity cost. If your energy is consumed by perfecting your appearance, being omnipresent at every possible event, engaging in endless conversations with management about nothing of substance, and making presentations on superficial topics, you are inadvertently sacrificing valuable time. This time could instead be spent on pursuits that genuinely contribute to your growth and the organization's success—like deepening your knowledge, making meaningful achievements that positively affect the bottom line, enhancing your skills, connecting with inspiring people, or dedicating focus time to think creatively.
Sustainability of Your Personal Brand: Centering your personal brand on mere 'visibility'—aiming primarily to 'appear' a certain way—can lead you to skip the essential steps of building genuine substance behind your image. This lack of authenticity doesn't go unnoticed, especially by those who are legit who can discern between surface-level effort and real substance. The issue with this approach is that when the moment comes to truly demonstrate your capabilities, catching up on missed opportunities becomes a formidable challenge. This can result in a loss of confidence, being tagged as insincere, and ultimately, seeing your carefully constructed image collapse. Clearly, not the outcome anyone desires!
Having clarified that pursuing visibility merely for the sake of it isn't the goal, does this imply that visibility is entirely irrelevant?
Not quite.
Does doing excellent work mean you should retreat into INVISIBILITY, hoping someone stumbles upon your efforts?
No.
Is it advisable to operate in isolation, disconnected from your colleagues?
Certainly not.
And should you neglect the importance of forging connections with individuals at various levels and across different departments within your organization?
Absolutely not.
The Power of Presence
What's the solution to the shallow pursuit of visibility? The answer lies in cultivating presence. One of the leading researchers on presence, Amy Cuddy describes presence as being authentically ourselves in the moment, fully convinced of our own worth, and comfortable expressing our true selves. Presence is about commanding attention not by force, but by the strength of your character, communication skills, and body language. It's about radiating confidence, composure, and a genuine interest in the people and ideas around you.
Why Presence Trumps Visibility
Authentic Engagement: Presence is about being genuinely engaged in your interactions, not just physically being there. It’s the difference between mindlessly attending every meeting and contributing meaningfully when it counts.
The Power of Listening: Presence involves active listening—paying attention to what’s being said (and what’s not being said). This can lead to deeper understanding and better solutions, something mere visibility never achieves.
Influence Through Authenticity: Authenticity has a magnetic pull. Individuals who embody true confidence and authenticity command influence that is rooted in respect and trust, not merely acknowledgment or superficial recognition. This genuine influence fosters stronger connections and inspires those around them.
Prioritizing Hard Work: The cornerstone of building presence is hard work rooted in a commitment to excellence. It's about dedicating yourself to your tasks and responsibilities, ensuring that your efforts speak volumes about your dedication and skill. If you have done the work, then you can project true, authentic confidence and knowledge which gathers respect.
Embracing Curiosity and Learning: Presence is also about fostering an insatiable curiosity and a commitment to continuous learning. By being genuinely interested in expanding your knowledge and understanding, you not only enrich your own experience but also contribute more significantly to your team and organization, and as such become more present.
Cultivating True Presence
Mindfulness: The foundation of true presence is mindfulness. Embrace the moment you're in, engaging fully with the task or conversation at hand, rather than preoccupying yourself with how you might leverage it for personal gain. Mindfulness encourages you to live in the present, enhancing your awareness and authenticity in every interaction.
Genuine Contributions: True presence is marked by the value and quality of your contributions rather than their volume. Strive to make a meaningful impact in your work and interactions. This involves thoughtful participation, where your input is driven by a desire to add real value, fostering a reputation for substance over superficiality.
Build Real Connections: Effective networking is a cornerstone of cultivating presence, but it's not about the number of people you know; it's about the depth of your connections. Prioritize developing genuine relationships where mutual respect and interest are the basis, rather than merely collecting contacts. These authentic connections are more likely to provide support, insight, and opportunities in the long run.
Embrace Vulnerability: Showing your true self, including your vulnerabilities, can significantly enhance your presence. Vulnerability humanizes you, making you more relatable and trustworthy. It invites open communication and creates a space for genuine interaction, strengthening the bonds with those around you.
Continuous Learning: A commitment to lifelong learning contributes to your presence by keeping you engaged, curious, and humble. It shows that you value growth and are open to new ideas and perspectives, which can enrich your conversations and collaborations.
I've crossed paths with countless individuals who prioritize visibility for its own sake, and I'll admit, it often leaves me feeling confused, skeptical, and occasionally irked. I find myself questioning, "Why are they achieving milestones these other people who I know are genuinely committed haven't, despite their deeper knowledge, greater contributions, and more substantial achievements? How does someone less qualified land that role, while another, far more capable, is overlooked?" Yet, experience has taught me patience; with time, the facade inevitably crumbles. The allure of those who seek visibility without substance fades quickly, revealing the lack of foundation beneath their spotlight.
So next time someone advises you to be visible and present stuff, I advise you challenge that and aspire to something greater. If you're in a leadership position, inspire your team not just to seek visibility, but to prioritize excellence in their work first and foremost, complemented by effective communication and genuine presence. It's through this dedication to quality, combined with the ability to truly engage and connect, that real impact and lasting influence are achieved.
#Presence #Visibility #AuthenticLeadership #BeLegit #BeyondVisibility #TruePresence #LeadershipPresence #CareerGrowth #WorkplaceCulture #PersonalBrand
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