The Ten Commandments for Getting Visible

“Improving your visibility is a lot like playing chess. You develop a strategy and make your moves, always working toward the goal of attracting positive attention to the job you do, the skills you possess, and your ability to connect with others. Don’t be the “Lone Ranger" who believes that he or she does not need anyone.”

You may like to think of yourself as being in charge of your own destiny. This, however, is not always the case. You, like everyone else in business, are influenced by other people. You, in turn, influence a host of others. Ignoring this symbiotic web in the business world can seriously undermine your career. Far too many careers have derailed because people did not connect with the right people. The decision makers simply were not aware of who they were and what they had to offer. They did not have the support of their colleagues, who were also a potential source of career leads.

Strategy One: Build Rapport

Building rapport will improve your visibility within your company and in your professional circle. Visibility is even more important today than in the past, given the fact that corporations have become highly team-focused. The sales team, the marketing team, the engineering team, the product-development team—people are viewed in groups that work collectively toward a common goal. As a result, individual efforts may not be recognized initially. You certainly do not want to come out and say, “I did all that! I am responsible for the team’s work!” This is not in the corporate value system today. The only way to get credit for your role on a team is to improve your team’s visibility, nurture relationships and position yourself as a leader. Then you’ll become more closely associated with the success of the project.

Strategy Two: Nurture your relationship with your boss

Improving your visibility starts with your boss. While you may assume that your boss knows what you are doing, this may not be the case. Keep your boss up to date with a monthly e-mail regarding the projects you are working on, the tasks you have completed, and even ideas and suggestions. Do not worry if your boss ultimately takes credit for the success of the team project. In the corporate world, one of the unwritten rules of success is making your boss look good. To do this, you have to be willing to share or even give up the credit.

When your efforts reflect well on your boss, everybody benefits. If you do not particularly like or trust your boss, this becomes more difficult. Overall, it is hard to increase your visibility without working with your boss. If you try to jump too many levels to increase your exposure, it may work against you. Others may perceive that you do not respect the system or that you are not a team player. Take time to nurture your relationship with your boss. When was the last time that you invited him or her to lunch? Or are you stuck in entitlement attitude, expecting your boss to take the initiative? No matter how talented you are, you cannot do it alone. Do not make your boss your enemy; make your boss your ally.

Strategy Three: Don't Get Pigeonholed

Increasing your visibility strategically can earn you a higher profile within the company or business arena in which you operate. It also will help to prevent you from getting pigeonholed in a job. Often it is not some failure or lack of skill that traps you in a particular job; rather, it is because you are so good at doing a specific set of tasks or functions. Therefore, your boss and perhaps even your colleagues do not want to lose the security of having you in that position. The detriment to you, however, is that over time you may be perceived as having limited skills. Create a relationship in which your boss is completely committed to your growth. Offer to give away your expertise whenever you have a chance. In this way, you are adding value beyond your role and it will be appreciated.

Strategy Four: Bond with people outside of your circle

All too often people miss opportunities to bond with others outside their own limited circle. For example, many technical people tend to stay within their own team and do not show up for corporate functions. They fail to see these social occasions as a chance to connect with others in the company. In addition, when they go to a meeting, they see themselves as gathering information. They are not there to socialize.

Another example is the new employee who immediately puts up a fence around himself or herself. Such employees are so focused on proving themselves first that they fail to establish important relationships and connections within the company. Others may get caught up in the “my department” syndrome and never venture out of their tight-knit corporate communities. And there are others who believe in keeping a distance between the business and personal aspects of their lives and in so doing isolate themselves from nearly everyone.

Strategy Five: Showcase your interests

Increasing your visibility to showcase your interests will require you to expand your professional circle. Social events sponsored by your company are an excellent way to get to know people from a number of different departments. Become a member of the company softball team. Volunteer for the party-planning committee. Get involved with a corporate charity event. If there is a new initiative at the company, find out how you can contribute.

If these endeavors seem intimidating at first or require too much of a time commitment, there are smaller ways in which you can widen your circle. Speak to people in the hallways. Go to lunch with colleagues or acquaintances from other departments. Seek opportunities to ask for advice. Spend time visiting another department to see how it is run. Ask questions, and show that you are interested.

Strategy Six: Hone your social graces

When you go to work, do not leave your social graces at home. Saying “Hello” and “Good morning,” having a pleasant demeanor, and engaging in light small talk are important skills—regardless of your profession or career level. Even if this kind of “schmoozing” is not what you are used to, remember it is as important as any skill set in an office or business environment. When you go to a meeting, do not begin with your own agenda the minute you sit down. Certainly be prepared with a list of topics that you want to address, but do not try to talk over the chitchat that precedes many meetings. When you arrive at the meeting, if your colleagues are discussing someone’s new baby, you had better listen politely and seem interested. If you try to cut them off, you will not be heralded as being ultra professional. Rather, they will think unkindly of you.

As simple as this may sound, many people are resistant to the idea of being more social at work, thinking: “I spend enough time with them from nine to five. Why do I need to associate with them outside of business hours?” This may be true. While they may not be your best friends or closest confidantes, the fact that you share a business environment ought to be reason enough to build a better rapport with them. And you never know! The person you are snubbing today may be the decision maker on your next project tomorrow.

Strategy Seven: Connect with people on a deeper level

One common faux pas—and the biggest lost opportunity—occur when a large group is gathered for a meeting or a presentation. As soon as there is a break, what happens? Everybody gets on their cell phones, Blackberry’s, or becomes otherwise absorbed in their own little worlds. Rarely do people look around the room at the others who are in attendance—people with whom they have an instant connection because they are at the same event—and strike up a conversation. The chance for rapport is lost, and the opportunity to connect is never pursued.
Typically, sales representatives understand the importance of people skills because their business is based on relationships. They may have the best product in the world, but unless it is the only one of its kind, they will have competition. The highest-performing sales reps have figured out that customer loyalty is always built with rapport and nurturing relationships.

Strategy Eight: Invest in the "personal touch"

Keep an up-to-date database of your contacts (name, e-mail address, phone number, etc.). Know what’s going on with them (i.e., new jobs or promotions). Remember their birthdays. E-mail them articles that relate to their special interests. Send them personal, handwritten notes on occasion. A handwritten note conveys how important someone is far more than a dashed off e-mail. In other words, invest the time and effort to develop these contacts into relationships—and friendships. At all times, use your discretion. Not every contact will want to develop a friendship with you. And remember, your network is as much about you helping someone else as it is about someone helping you.

Strategy Nine: Become a cheerleader for others

If you are a lone gun, it is all about the competition—and winning. You are driven to excel, to succeed, and to be noticed. You may bring a vital energy into a group and have no difficulty expressing an opinion or an idea. In the extreme, you may be like a “bulldozer” that pushes everything and everybody else out of the way.

Although you believe that your ideas are the right ones that work, solicit feedback from others. Get them to see that you are interested in their opinions, focus on becoming more inclusive in your leadership style and draw out the contributions of everyone. Go out of your way to recognize your colleagues. Recognition honors others and contributes to a happy environment. And it is often reciprocated in time.

Strategy Ten: Build a reputation as being a team player

Building a reputation as being a team player creates win-win relationships. Focus on being cooperative and sympathetic and assume the role of a peacemaker in a group in which there is heated debate or disagreement. When you are working in teams, use your skills at setting up relationships with others. This is not to suggest that you sacrifice your own needs. It just means that you have the sensitivity gene to know that your success today is best showcased when you are demonstrating a collaborative communication style.

Concluding Thoughts

I hope these Ten Commandments are helpful. Visibility is critical to your success and improving your visibility is a lot like playing chess. Choose the right strategies and you’ll be the beneficiary of true success and personal satisfaction.

Warmly,