Are you Visible…? #Leadership #Communication #Career #People
Often, working professionals are confronted with a need to be more ‘visible’ within their organization. Numerous paradigms are making the rounds, viz., visibility impacts performance ratings, visibility is the key to getting quick promotions, visibility propels career growth and so on. It has hence been portrayed as the biggest Goliath to be knocked down in one’s road to success.
The question is, do you need to work on your visibility factor as a separate entity alongside other objectives? The answer to this lies in firstly eliminating some myths that concoct the reality within the 4 walls of our workplaces.
Myth #1: You have to market yourself regularly to be popular within the organization
Myth # 2: You must make every attempt possible to create some noise while in a team meeting or a company sponsored event
Myth # 3: You need to rub shoulders with C-level folks to ensure you are recognized and remembered
Myth # 4: You must be the first to volunteer for all extra-curricular activities to be known as an enterprising person
Let’s get down to reality now….
Leadership practices have evolved rapidly in the last decade, culture of organizations have been through a whirlwind and Change Agility has become the insulin to keep other parameters in check. However certain principles have faced the test of time and stayed strong despite the entry of more fashionable practices. Let’s delve into some time-tested methods that can improve ‘visibility’:
1. Goal Orientation: Keep a strong vigil on the goals you need to achieve and that which you have agreed with your boss. Invest in this space heavily with your time, efforts and commitment. Do everything possible from seeking coaching, help from peers, support from your HR partner, guidance from mentors, every damn thing possible. Nothing can beat this virtue. This is what impacts the organizations well being and when you demonstrate this you attract maximum traction.
2. Change Agility: Embrace the ambiguity and elasticity prevalent in todays environment. The ‘what to do’ may not change frequently, the ‘how to do’ will definitely shift with time. Adjust, re-adjust, shift move and keep moving. Be like a gear box to withstand the numerous changes it has to go through before coming to a neutral stand. Interact frequently with people from other departments to smell the changes coming up.
3. Problem Solving: Strive to help your team, boss and peers come out of problems they’re facing in the system. There is nothing more soothing when someone pulls you up from a difficulty. Imagine walking in a barren field under the scotching sun and a good samaritan coming forward to quench your thirst and helping you with a shelter to rest. You will impact people positively when you alleviate their pain. Be a go to person. You may not be able to solve everyone’s problems all the time, but the intention to help genuinely is a good start indeed.
4. Reflect Goodness: At least once in a day, target to appreciate or recognize someone for a trait or practice they are good at. When you do this consistently you will be looked upon as a source of abundant positivity. People will like being in your circle. Be conscious of what you appreciate, choose wisely and ensure not to cross the line and make a flattery of someone
5. Seek first to Understand: This communication skill will go a long way in accelerating your leadership journey. In all possible avenues, strive to give a patient listening to the others persons views. Acknowledge them before you agree or disagree. I have encountered some leaders who do this so very well, that their arguments turn into commitment and way forward.
Remember, visibility doesn’t come with an arm candy tied to your elbow, it is not a technique which you can buy off the shelf, it isn’t a perfume that can attract people, visibility involves those simple but powerful workplace behavior’s that have everlasting relevance and cannot be made irrelevant at any point in time. Stay Conscious, stay Visible.