Getting Noticed: Workplace Visibility Tips for Devs

Visibility at work is a curious thing—make one dev struggle, make another dev shine.??

No matter how you feel about sharing your achievements, visibility is crucial in software development, just like in any other field. Staying invisible can lead to missed opportunities, less recognition, and slower career growth, even within your company.??

If you feel intimidated or unprepared when it's time to showcase your work—or just want to avoid looking like a showoff—this guide is here to help. We've rounded up practical strategies to help you promote your work while staying humble.??

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The Perks of Being Seen??

In software development, doing great work isn't always enough. While it might be tempting to stay low-profile, if no one knows about your contributions, you could end up stuck on the sidelines.??

According to BambooHR, in 2024, visibility has become as important as productivity for both remote and in-office workers. An increasing number of employees are taking steps to make themselves visible—not just to showcase productivity but to prove their value to colleagues and management.??

But beyond being a metric for productivity, visibility comes with additional benefits:??

Career Growth: Promotions and raises often hinge on more than solid code—it's about showing the value you bring. Managers can't advocate for your advancement if they don't know what you're doing. Making your work visible helps create a more straightforward path for growth.??

Influence in Projects: The more visible you are, the more likely your voice will be heard in important decisions. By sharing your progress, ideas, and solutions, you position yourself as a go-to resource, leading to more impactful project roles.??

Collaboration: Visibility isn't just about self-promotion—it's also about helping your team. When others know what you're working on, they're more likely to collaborate with you effectively or tap into your expertise. This helps prevent silos and encourages smoother communication.??

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Practical Strategies to Show Your Contributions?

Now, having learned about the importance of making your contributions visible, and seeing how it affects both your own growth and the team's success, let's dive into practical strategies. Here are some ways to share your work more naturally:?

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1. Share Progress, Not Just Results??

A good rule of thumb is to keep your manager and teammates informed about your progress and accomplishments along the way. Instead of waiting for the final product, share updates on your work regularly. This approach keeps your contributions visible throughout the project—without a big "look at me" moment—while showcasing your value.?

Project management tools like Trello, Jira, or GitHub can be your sidekick for documenting tasks, tracking progress, managing deadlines, and sharing deliverables. They make it easy and transparent to communicate regular updates on milestones achieved and hurdles dispatched, and help display your outcomes. Plus, they open the door to feedback and support from your team and manager.??

2. Make the Most of Your 1:1s??

Your 1:1s with your manager are more than just routine check-ins. They're your chance to showcase your work, align on goals, and advocate for your career growth. To make the most of these meetings:??

• Show up ready? Keep track of your achievements, goals, and contributions in a document you can share. This serves as a quick, structured way to review your progress together.???
• Frame your progress, not just tasks? Instead of listing completed tasks, focus on how your contributions impacted the team or company. Also, be open about your challenges and how you addressed them. This demonstrates initiative and helps identify areas where your manager can offer support.??
• Always carve out time for feedback? Ask about areas for improvement and what you're doing well that you should continue. This keeps you aligned with expectations and opens the door for constructive advice to boost your growth.??

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3. Take Part in Demo Sessions??

Whether it's an internal team demo or a broader presentation to stakeholders, these sessions provide a natural platform for making your contributions visible without appearing self-promotional.????

Volunteering to lead demos showcases your technical and soft skills while letting others know where your expertise lies, potentially opening doors to future collaboration and opportunities. They also offer learning opportunities as you gather feedback and deepen your knowledge by presenting to peers.???

So, don't shy away from sharing what you know. Be sure to highlight the collaborative efforts of your team and connect your work to broader project goals, ensuring your contributions are both visible and aligned with the bigger picture.??

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4. Be There to Help??

Sharing knowledge is a powerful way to boost your visibility at work while supporting your team's growth. By offering help—whether through collaborating in pairing, providing thoughtful code reviews, or proactively solving potential issues—you demonstrate expertise in a collaborative, humble way.??

Sharing your successes and mistakes makes your contributions more visible, showing your ability to guide others through challenges. When you offer solutions or insights, you help the team grow while subtly showcasing your experience.??

Offering mentorship or assistance reinforces your role as a go-to resource, making your value more apparent to peers and managers.??

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5. Use Retro to Celebrate Wins as a Team??

Last but not least, retrospectives are a perfect opportunity to reflect on progress and celebrate wins. Use these sessions to highlight the work you're proud of, especially if it aligns with the team's goals and success.??

Keep it concise—mention significant achievements and how your work helped move the project forward. Retro boards often include a "kudos" section, so don't hesitate to celebrate your team's efforts and shared accomplishments as a team player.??

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Any Extra Tips??

We hope these strategies empower you to showcase your contributions when the time comes. Remember, making your work visible doesn’t have to feel forced—it can be a natural part of your workflow.

How do you approach visibility at work? Do you have any tips or strategies to add to the list? Feel free to share your own approach in the comments below! We’d love to hear what works for you!?