You’ve Done the Work. But No One See That, & How To Fix It.

Let’s get one thing straight: Doing the work is non-negotiable. But being seen doing the work? That’s where the power lies.

And yet, so many smart, capable, ambitious humans are stuck in a frustrating loop. They’ve delivered. Shown up. Hit milestones. Maybe even exceeded them. But the recognition?

The traction? The momentum? Nowhere to be found. It feels unfair, and it is. But it’s also fixable.

Let’s unpack what’s really happening, and what you can do to turn things around.

First, let’s name the truth: Visibility is a skill.

It’s not about being loud. Or pushy. Or selling yourself short. It’s about learning how to signal value clearly, to the right people, in the right places, at the right time.

When no one’s noticing your work, it’s not always because the work isn’t good. It’s often because you haven’t built a system to make it known.

“If you don’t tell your story, someone else will, and they might get it wrong.” – Meredith Fineman

The Truth Behind Why This Happens (Even to High Achievers)

Let’s break this open, no fluff, no filters:

You’re focused on delivering, not broadcasting. You take pride in execution. So you assume the work will speak for itself. But in noisy environments, silence gets you skipped.
You’re waiting for permission. You don’t want to come across as arrogant. So you water it down, or wait for someone else to tell your story. Meanwhile, others with half your skillset are front and center.
You don’t know how to talk about your wins. There’s a big gap between doing the thing and knowing how to communicate the value of the thing. That’s a muscle you have to build.
You’re expecting others to do it for you. You assume your manager should highlight your work. Or that the right people will just know. But the workplace doesn’t work like that. People are busy. They’re consumed by their own priorities. Visibility isn’t handed out, it’s engineered
You’ve internalized imposter syndrome. You’re silently wondering if you deserve the spotlight. So you underplay. You soften your impact. You’re afraid if you speak up too boldly, someone will expose you. That fear? It’s dimming your light.
You think visibility = noise. You roll your eyes at people who talk about their achievements or show up on LinkedIn. You’ve labeled it “show-off behavior” or “personal branding nonsense.” But that narrative is costing you. Because while you stay principled and quiet, others are out there shaping perception.
You were taught not to self-promote. Especially common if you come from cultures, families, or communities where humility = silence. But there’s a difference between honoring your work and bragging. The workplace won’t read between the lines. You have to show the lines.

Now, Before You Get Frustrated, Lets' Flip This Upside Down First.

When your work isn’t getting the attention it deserves, the first instinct is to blame others.

"My manager’s not advocating for me."
"This company doesn’t value real contributors."
“X person took the credit of my work”
"This is just politics."

Maybe that’s all true. But let’s pause the external noise for a second, and flip the mirror.

Ask yourself:

Why is my work not being seen? Really. Go beyond the textbook answers. Get honest.
Is the work I’m doing aligned with what leadership actually cares about, or just what I care about?
Am I in the right room, or am I working hard on the sidelines, far from where the real decisions (and recognitions) are made?
Have I made any deliberate effort to make my work visible, or am I just hoping someone notices?
Do I even know who the right people are to notice? Am I building relationships with them, or staying in my comfort zone?
Am I unintentionally offsetting my own value? (For example: I may be delivering results, but if I’m constantly negative, complaining, or coming off defensive, that becomes the louder narrative.)

This level of reflection isn’t fun. But it’s everything. You can’t change what you don’t name.

Here’s another truth that matters:

This is not a “you” problem. It’s not personal. It’s not rare. And it’s not exclusive. This can happen to anyone, at any level.

Yes, dynamics like gender, race, seniority, personality type, and language fluency can intensify the experience, sometimes painfully so. But being overlooked isn’t just about identity. It’s about systems. Cultures. Timing. Bias. Proximity. Politics. Perception and sometimes even Luck.

We’re all biased. We’re human. So instead of spiraling into frustration or shame, shift your focus. Zoom out. Get clear.

What are you trying to achieve? What’s good for you? And what will move you closer to that?

That’s your compass, not fairness, not credit, not feelings.

Now, lets explore What Can You Do About It?

Once you’ve gotten honest with yourself and spotted the blockers, this is where your power comes back.

This isn’t about becoming someone you’re not. It’s about becoming more of who you are, with clarity, strategy, and intention.

Here’s a visibility reset to start shifting gears:

Don’t overcorrect, rebalance. You don’t need to become the loudest. Just consistent. Visibility doesn’t have to be exhausting, it just needs to be intentional.
Start with one person. Visibility doesn’t mean performing on stage. Start with a coffee chat. A manager 1:1. A mentor update. Use real language: “I’ve been thinking a lot about how to make more impact here, and I’d love to share what I’ve been working on and what I’m hoping to do next.”
Practice talking about yourself. Yes, it’s awkward at first. But confidence is built in repetition. Talk about your work out loud, record voice notes, practice with a coach, or even rant to your cat. Get comfortable being your own hype person.
Document your wins. Weekly. Create a brag file. Every Friday, jot down: What you did Why it mattered What the outcome was This helps you track your value and makes future convos (interviews, appraisals, intros) so much easier.
Turn your work into stories. Don’t just say “I led the launch.” Say “I took a chaotic idea with no roadmap, built a clear plan, rallied the team, and we launched in six weeks, earning 120% of our goal.” Story = context + action + impact.
Learn to speak in headlines. People skim. Make your value skimmable. Instead of “I helped on that campaign,” try: “Led creative on the campaign that doubled engagement in 3 days.”
Learn the language of impact. Stop saying “I helped with…” Start saying “I led the execution on…” or “I drove results in…” Use outcome-based language that connects the dots.
Reintroduce yourself at work. Sometimes you need to hit refresh. Share what you’re working on. What you care about. What impact you’ve created. Do it in team meetings, newsletters, async updates. Let people catch up to who you’ve become.
Share selectively and strategically. You don’t need to post daily on LinkedIn or shout on every Zoom. But you do need to share progress in team updates, 1:1s, quarterly reviews, pitch decks, or casual catch-ups with people who matter.
Ask for amplification. Get others to validate your work, ask for testimonials, recommendations, or public shoutouts. Social proof builds credibility fast.
Audit your digital presence. If someone googles you or lands on your LinkedIn, will they get what you’re about in 30 seconds? If not, fix it. You’re missing warm leads every day.
Work on the perception gaps. Ask yourself: what’s the loudest narrative about me in the workplace? Is it what I want it to be? If not, create intentional moments that highlight your strengths. Make it easy for others to associate you with value, leadership, and results.
Get a coach or visibility partner. You’re too close to your own brilliance. A coach can help you spot your blind spots, reframe your stories, and guide you through a reinvention arc. They’ll help you shift how others see you, by first shifting how you see you.

“sometimes success needs a microphone.”

Final Word?

Being good isn’t enough. Being seen being good? That’s where the leverage lives.

This isn’t about ego, it’s about ownership. You’ve done the work. So no more hiding in plain sight. It’s time the world knows it.

We all know, Doing great work is noble. But if no one sees it, the impact stays small, and your career stalls. Visibility isn’t vanity. It’s leverage. It’s legacy. It’s how you expand your reach and multiply your value. So don’t wait for someone else to tell your story.

Own it. Shape it. Share it. And let the world catch up to the work you’ve already done.

Resources You Will Enjoy

Podcasts

The Career Contessa Podcast – "How to Brag at Work Without Being Obnoxious: The Art of Self-Advocacy)" Practical tips for navigating workplace visibility with confidence and intention.
The Mel Robbins Podcast – "Stop Waiting to Be Saved" A powerful episode on taking charge of your narrative and creating your own opportunities.
Harvard Business Review: Women at Work – "Step into the Spotlight" Great for addressing the discomfort many feel around self-promotion, especially in structured or corporate environments.

YouTube Videos

Carla Harris – "How to Find the Person Who Can Help You Get Ahead" (TED) A masterclass on the role of sponsors vs. mentors and how visibility directly ties to career acceleration.
Kara Ronin – "10 SECRETS to Increase Your VISIBILITY at Work: Become More Visible & Get PROMOTED!" A sharp breakdown on strategic visibility.
Simon Sinek – "Most Leaders Don't Even Know the Game They're In" While framed around leadership, this talk reveals how visibility creates influence at every level.

Books

"Executive Presence" by Sylvia Ann Hewlett Breaks down what makes someone seen, heard, and respected at higher levels, especially in complex orgs.
"Brag Better" by Meredith Fineman A modern guide to advocating for yourself with authenticity, perfect for anyone who struggles with visibility.
"Invisible Women" by Caroline Criado Perez While more data-heavy, it uncovers how systemic invisibility affects women across industries, shifting the blame off the individual and into broader context.

🤔 Where do you stand when it comes to visibility? Have you been quietly delivering behind the scenes, or finally stepping into the spotlight? I’d love to hear what’s shifted for you, what’s still hard, or what lightbulb moments this sparked.

📌 Know someone who’s doing great work but not getting seen? Send this their way. We rise faster when we rise together.

♻️ If this resonated, share it. Someone else in your world might be stuck in that same loop, waiting to be noticed. This might be the nudge they need.

✨ Got a topic you’d love me to tackle next, something real, career-related, and under-discussed? Drop it in the comments or send me a message. I’m all about surfacing what matters.

“Being visible is not about ego, it’s about impact.” – Carla Harris

Stick this quote somewhere you’ll see it, your desk, your mirror, your laptop. Frame it if you want. But more than that, feel it. A daily nudge to be a little kinder to yourself. Every damn day.

Co-authored by Rezan Manan and ChatGPT

Visibility isn’t a personality trait, it’s a skill. And it’s one you can build, shape, and own, without selling out who you are.

If you're ready to work on that skill with clarity, confidence, and a solid strategy, let’s talk. Whether it’s through 1:1 Coaching, Visibility Strategy, or Brand Storytelling, I’d love to help you stop waiting for credit and start owning your narrative. You can learn more about me and explore my Business & Mindset Coaching.

Let’s make your brilliance impossible to ignore.

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