Staying Visible When We’re Farther Apart

The last 18 months have redefined how we think about career success, work-life balance, and “getting ahead.” Our priorities have shifted, our locations have shifted, and #TheGreatReshuffle has given us all the opportunity to write bold next chapters. We used to rely on hallway interactions, lunch table chats, or offsites to build relationships and stay connected and top of mind. But the pandemic has given us a new challenge: reinvent how we stay visible and redefine what being visible means for our future. Do you want to make a good impression on your boss, advocate for that key assignment no one else wants, or get to know your executive team? Perhaps you’re ready to bring your whole self to work for the first time or become known for skills in high demand on your team.

This month we’re talking about how we stay visible when we’re hybrid, remote, or back in offices that are likely very different than they were pre-pandemic. One piece of advice that’s been helpful for me is thinking about visibility as pre-negotiating your own success--letting people know how you can add value, what you’re interested in, and what you need to do your best work. 

Let’s see what our experts around the globe have to say!

LinkedIn CEO and Male Ally Ryan Roslansky Advises Being Proactive on Checking In Informally, Asking Questions, and Recognizing Others

Use informal channels like Teams and Slack to build 1:1 relationships. Don’t just wait for scheduled group meetings or 1:1s to interact with your peers, your manager, or leaders in the org. Use informal channels to build relationships by checking in just to say “hi” or “how are you?”, giving a quick update on what you or your team are working on or something you’re excited about, or asking if there’s anything the other person needs help with. 

Ask questions to advance a discussion. One way to contribute to a meeting is to ask a thoughtful question that advances the discussion. This is easier to do using the chat in a virtual meeting. It provides another channel to contribute to the conversation and build a sense of community, especially when it might be difficult to jump into the live conversation. Be the first person to ask a question when no one is speaking up or contribute a question that helps move the conversation forward.

Be a positive force and lift up the voice and accomplishments of others. Recognizing others is a great way to show your leadership. If you notice someone has been quiet but know they have something to say, speak up and create room for them in the convo: “Hey Molly, I think you have an awesome perspective on this. Do you want to share it?” Be the first in meetings to say “That is an amazing accomplishment,  nice work”, whether it be verbally or just in the chat.

Leadership & Reinvention Coach Alexandra Galviz Says It’s Time to Claim Your Space

Whether it’s remote or hybrid work, it still comes down to one thing: will we allow ourselves to be seen? Being seen is one of fundamental human needs and yet it’s something that gets in our way. We fear being judged, criticised, rejected for who we are. In order to be visible we need to be brave and courageous to show up and say “this is who I am” and stand in our power. Easier said than done! I know first-hand. But here’s the thing: no one is going to do that for us. Whether we like it or not, it’s our responsibility as women to blow our own trumpet, which will inspire others to do the same! So tell people who you are, what inspires you, what’s important to you online and offline. If you don’t, who will?

Talent Expert and Customer Success Leader Aarti Thapar Suggests You Become a Creator on LinkedIn

Lockdowns, remote work, and Zoom fatigue have in some ways drawn us closer to our inner circle but further away from those in our outer circle. But the weaker links in our networks are ones we can nurture in order to unlock diversity, creativity and innovation, as well as economic opportunity. 

One of the most powerful tools for visibility is the LinkedIn platform itself, where we can create content to stay top of mind and better connect not just to those we know well but to the weaker ties in our networks. This isn’t about impressing others, but about creating a magnetic force that draws different layers of our network to us by showing our authentic selves through content and conversation. So share your thinking, your perspectives, your passion, and your feelings through your posts. And don’t forget to like and engage in others’ conversations, especially those you’d like to stay close to. Reciprocity is key!

Psychologist and Resilience Expert Gemma Leigh Roberts Advises Offering Help and Setting Up Solution Sessions to Share Advice

Be strategic and empathetic. Consider who you want to connect with and why it matters. Put yourself in the shoes of the people you want to meet with: they’re busy, dealing with virtual meeting fatigue, and trying to navigate an uncertain and unpredictable workplace. What would make them want to talk to you? Rather than focusing on what you need, consider what you can do to help. Could you offer to work on a project they’re looking after or streamline a process? You may not know how you can help, but you can note your interest in a project and ask!

Schedule solution sessions. Suggest regular meetings where teams come together to share what they’re working on, results, accomplishments, and key challenges. If someone has a challenge you could help with, offer to help. And vice versa: other team members may be able to support you. 

Speak up and be present. It can be tempting to hide in team meetings, but challenge yourself to provide your opinion, ask a question, or clarify the conversation. These moments are easy to miss, but one short sentence can remind stakeholders who you are and the role you play.

So Now What?

If you’d like to learn more on this topic, check out these LinkedIn Learning courses: 

Sharing Your Best Self at Work

Activate Your Professional Network and Increase Your Visibility

How to Stand Out Remotely

Building Your Visibility Online as a Remote Leader

How to Stand Out

Building Relationships While Working from Home

What advice would you add? Thank you for speaking up! Please click subscribe to join us again next month, as we’re here to be yours in making workplaces better for women.