#INCREASEYOURGLOW | Four Key Approaches Professional Women Can Adopt to Increase Their Visibility at Work

| Four Key Approaches Professional Women Can Adopt to Increase Their Visibility at Work

Consider this a “makeover” moment. Women indulge in spa treatments, personal shopper experiences, glam sessions with stylists, and now adding career visibility, or simply the notion of getting more visibility on the list. Becoming a more “known” commodity for the value that women bring to their work, stakeholders, and customers is the cache that should not be a secret. These acts need a platform opportunity to shine and make more people (leaders and line staff alike) aware of their talents and abilities. There are many ways to increase visibility at work and this article will highlight four key approaches that Professional women can do to up the ante in this regard.

1.??????Develop a Strong Professional Network: Hands down, the art of networking is high on the list. Many women shy away from the idea of this not knowing that they are already conducting some form of “networking” in their day-to-day jobs. The word conjures up images of an “oily and obnoxious salesman” and most career women don’t want any part of this caricature. ?However, if we explored what the activity and function is, networking is simply connecting and building relationships. Networking also supports others in our circles and having the ability to introduce, partner, and assist colleagues in getting what they need, such as an answer to a complex question, etc. is a part of this experience. Reframing and taking the negative charge out of the word, by calling it what you’d like and then getting busy doing more of it all while being intentional and mindful in the process. Building a robust network is essential for gaining visibility. Several examples for how to expand your footprint and reach include: attending industry conferences, seminars, and participating in actual networking events to connect with colleagues, mentors, and leaders in your field. Actively engage in professional organizations and seek out opportunities to collaborate and contribute. Working on cross-functional projects or committees can also expand your network and enhance your visibility.

2.??????Seek out High-Visibility Assignments: Involve the immediate leader by expressing desire to increase your exposure and readiness to get involved in larger projects. Share that you want to lead an effort, and step into that desire so that when opportunities come up, the leader can help get your name into the ring for consideration. Applying for rotational assignments in strategic areas of the business and volunteering to participate when company announcements mention customer facing activities where there is community involvement, e.g., Habitat for Humanity, or American Red Cross Blood drives, etc. Proactively pursue challenging projects or “stretch” assignments that have a high impact on the organization and deliver strong results. Volunteer for cross-departmental initiatives, leadership roles on the Women’s ERG board, or projects with high visibility within the company. Demonstrating your skills and abilities in such assignments will not only increase your visibility but also showcase your capabilities to decision-makers.

3.??????Establish a Strong Personal Brand: awaken to the idea that you are a walking, talking, billboard and therefore are a brand. What are you known for when others interact with you? What is their experience with you like? How might you show up in such a way on a day-to-day basis that supports multiplying the “trust, like, and want to do business” factor? Approachability, being accessible, and making time to connect with others is critically important. Cultivate a distinct personal brand that aligns with your professional goals and aspirations. This involves actively managing your online presence, maintaining a strong professional profile on platforms like LinkedIn, and sharing industry-related insights through blogs or articles. Consider positioning yourself as an expert or thought leader in your field by speaking at conferences, contributing to publications, or hosting webinars. Establishing a reputation for both expertise and leadership will enhance your visibility as well as market viability.

4.??????Seek Out Mentors and Sponsors: Look out for and approach leaders that you have an affinity with both male and female and ask for time to meet with them. Connect with the intention of gaining guidance, support, and advocacy within your organization. Mentors can offer advice, share their experiences, and provide insights on navigating the workplace. Ask questions and listen to their career journey stories and their lessons learned. Sponsors, on the other hand, are influential individuals who can actively endorse and promote your career advancement. You need allies who know your brand, your aspirations, your potential, and are willing to speak your name in rooms where the balance of power resides to position you for roles that will open future doors of experience and increased exposure. Building and nurturing these essential relationships can significantly enhance your visibility and broaden your brand’s reach.

Remember that achieving visibility is an ongoing process that requires consistent effort and strategic thinking. As you continue to grow your career, your mix of supporters must also change to include others who can assist at the next role level. Being intentional and aware of your moments of opportunity to ask for what you need requires both courage & practice, and the reason for doing so has to motivate you enough to continue to put yourself out there because not participating in the ways noted will lead to a much longer road to achieve the desired objective, and no amount of solo work will get it done. The process requires allowing others to pour into and invest in your brand to see the dividends payoff. Implementing these four key strategies, will enable more professional women to level up their visibility and create more opportunities for career advancement and fulfillment.

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Sheryl Brinkley is a Women's Leadership Pipeline Builder & Sustainer and a Career Acceleration Catalyst Specializing in Hi-Potential & Mid-Level leader progression into Sr. Level & C-Suite positions. She is an Executive & Positive Intelligence Mental Fitness Coach supporting her clients in their holistic self-actualization pursuits while deepening self-awareness for maximal leadership impact.