How to Be More Visible at Work (the part that's not in the tips)

Okay so if you read my last post — first of all, thank you. And second, you already know that visibility isn't just about strategy. It goes way deeper than that!

But here's what I want to get into today. Because knowing that isn't enough. And honestly? The reason most visibility advice misses the mark isn't because it's bad advice. It's because it assumes what works for one woman will work for every woman.

And, it just doesn't.

Your organization is different. Your role is different. Your goals are different. And the version of visible that actually works for you? It's going to look different too. So instead of giving you another list of things to do, let's talk about what actually matters first.

The question nobody asks before giving visibility advice

When I start working with a woman on visibility, I never jump straight into tactics. Because tactics without context are just noise. Before we talk about anything (what to do, how to show up, where to start) I always go here first.

And these three questions? They change everything.

Question 1: What is actually the goal of being visible?

I know. It sounds so obvious. But I promise you — most women have never actually stopped to answer it.

Is it to get promoted? To be taken more seriously? To have more influence over decisions? To be recognized for the work you're already doing? To build relationships with senior leadership?

Because the goal changes everything about the direction you go. Visibility for a promotion looks completely different from visibility for influence. Visibility in a startup looks different from visibility in a big corporate structure. And visibility that's driven by what YOU actually want looks completely different from visibility that's driven by what you think you're supposed to want.

So before you do anything else — get really clear on why you actually want this. Not the version that sounds good in a performance review. The real reason.

Question 2: Where in your organization are you already showing up and where are you holding back?

This one always surprises people. Because most women who feel invisible at work? They're not actually invisible everywhere. They're showing up really well in some rooms and completely absent in others.

Maybe you're incredibly present with your team but go quiet when senior leadership walks in. Maybe you speak up confidently in one on ones but disappear in bigger meetings. Maybe you're great at advocating for other people's ideas but never your own.

So instead of trying to overhaul everything at once, start by noticing where you're already showing up well. And then get curious about what's different about those moments. Because that's where your answer lives. Not in someone else's visibility playbook. In your own patterns.

Question 3: What's the smallest possible version of visible that feels doable right now?

Because here's the thing: We make visibility way too big in our heads. We think it has to be this grand moment. The big presentation. The bold idea in front of the whole company. The moment where everyone finally sees us.

But real visibility is built in small moments. The email you send instead of staying quiet. The opinion you share instead of waiting to be asked. The credit you take instead of deflecting.

What's one small thing (not ten things, just one) that you could do this week to show up a little more visibly in your organization?

Start there. Just there.

What I actually want you to take away from this

This isn't about becoming louder or more aggressive or more like the people you've watched get ahead. That's exhausting and honestly it's someone else's version of visible. Not yours.

This is about understanding yourself and your organization well enough to show up in a way that actually works for YOU. Your goals. Your strengths. Your workplace. Your season of your career.

Real visibility work is a practice, not a checklist. And it looks different for every single woman I work with. Which is exactly why I never start with tactics.

Because the right move for you? Only you can figure that out. But these three questions are a really good place to start.

And if you want to work through these together — this is exactly the kind of work we do in 1:1 coaching. You can learn more here.

xo, Lindsey