Season 6 Episode 2 - The Visibility Advantage: Building Influence Before You Need It

[00:00:00] Have you ever looked around and wondered why do some people seem to get opportunities before they are posted? Why are certain people invited into conversations, projects and leadership circles before everyone else? Is this because of talent? Sometimes it can be because of talent, but often it's due to visibility.

[00:00:27] So today we are talking about one of the most misunderstood aspects of career growth and leadership and that is building influence before you need it. Hello and welcome back to Empower and Elevate with Joanna. In Season 6 Episode 1 we talked about positioning yourself for growth.

[00:00:49] Today, Episode 2 we are taking the next step forward. Because being in the right room matters. But if no one knows what value you bring to the room, opportunities may continue to pass you by.

[00:01:05] There are many talented professionals who believe that their work should speak for itself. And while excellence matters, visibility ensures your work is recognized, understood and remembered. Visibility is not self-promotion. Rather, it is strategic communication.

[00:01:27] So we are taking a look at five different segments in this episode today. And segment one is why visibility matters more than ever. We live in a world where hybrid work is common, especially since after COVID. And AI is changing workflows. Teams are also distributed globally. And leaders are managing larger spans of control.

[00:01:57] As a result, fewer people naturally see your contributions. And this means that visibility can no longer be accidental. It must be intentional. People cannot advocate for value they do not see. And sponsors even cannot elevate talents that they do not know exist. So visibility creates awareness. And awareness is the one that creates opportunity.

[00:02:24] So visibility is the one that creates opportunity. Let's move on to segment two. The visibility myth. So many professionals avoid visibility because they associate visibility with boasting or self-promotion or even seeking attention.

[00:02:42] But true visibility is the one that creates opportunity. But true visibility is different. Visibility simply means sharing your insights, contributing ideas, and solving problems publicly, demonstrating the expertise that you bring to the table.

[00:03:01] So visibility is the one that creates opportunity. So visibility is not about making yourself look important. It is about making your value visible. And the goal is not attention. Do not be an attention seeker. And don't think that visibility requires you to draw attention to yourself. The goal is impact and not attention. Moving on to segment three.

[00:03:28] Our influence is built. So influence is not granted. It is earned over time. People trust those who consistently add value. Those who are problem solvers. Those who communicate clearly. And those who support others. Either through mentorship or advocacy or even just being there.

[00:03:56] Influence grows when people begin to associate your name with positive outcomes. Not because you announced it. But because they experienced it. There's a difference. You do not have to announce your positive outcomes. Let others experience it and be able, you know, to associate your name with those positive outcomes.

[00:04:23] And this is why influence is a long-term investment. Every meeting, every presentation, every conversation that you have, you are either building credibility or you're missing an opportunity to strengthen it. Moving on to segment four. The practical visibility strategies.

[00:04:48] There are four different ways to increase your visibility professionally. Let's take a look at them. The very first one is speaking up in meetings. Don't wait for perfection. Don't get me wrong. It's good to listen. I love to listen and hear the heart of people when they're talking.

[00:05:10] But also, at the same time, when you need to be able to speak up in meetings. Don't wait for when you've perfected that thought or that moment. Contribute. Always contribute in meetings. And number two, share your expertise.

[00:05:36] Be someone that is not a single point of knowledge. Always be willing and ready to share your expertise through writing, presentation, and even teaching. Let others learn from you the same way that you will learn from them. Knowledge sharing is very good.

[00:06:00] And number three, building relationships before you need them. Networking is most effective in all areas of life. Before that opportunity appears, make sure that you make that connection. Build that relationship because you're going to need them someday. Build them before and not after.

[00:06:28] And number four is to document and communicate your achievements. Seize the opportunity to document and communicate everything that you have accomplished and things that you're working on. Do a great work of it. Then make sure that your shareholders understand the impact. Let's take a look at the last segment.

[00:06:57] Segment five, the mindset shift. I've talked about this particular topic before in the past. Instead of asking, how do I get noticed? Why don't you ask the question this way? How do I consistently create value that people remember? When you ask a question like that, that shift changes everything for you.

[00:07:24] Because influence is not built through visibility alone. But influence is built through visible value. And as I close, let's reflect on this. If opportunities were being discussed in a room you're not in today, ask yourself this question. Would your name come up?

[00:07:45] And if not, what intentional step can you take this week to increase your visibility and influence? Leadership is not about capability. Leadership is also about being known for your contribution. Thank you again for joining me on Empower and Elevate with Joanna.

[00:08:08] Until next time, keep empowering, keep elevating, and continue building influence before you need it.