Visibility

How many times have you been advised to be visible in an organization? What are the consequences if you aren't?

Visibility goes directly against the "my work should speak for itself" theory which many women hold. To be visible means our shortcomings, as well as our achievements are on display for the world. Since we usually equate excellence with perfection, we would rather stay invisible. This is exactly why this suggestion is made to women.If we don’t make an effort to point out our accomplishments, we can be sure someone will steal our thunder.

I once worked in an office next to Mike, who had the same position as mine. We each had private offices, but it was common for us to keep the doors open. After I had been on the job a few weeks, Mike spoke up in a sales meeting. He had two specific suggestions for dealing with customers on the telephone. He wanted to share these great ideas, which he had come up with and which worked for him. They were both well-received by everyone in the room. Only I knew that he had learned them both by listening to me.

Here is a good example of someone (Mike) acknowledging the need to be visible, and to receive credit for ideas, even if they weren’t his. Someone else (me) was not quick enough to point out my strengths. He stole my thunder. I was not hurt by this situation, and worked alongside Mike for several years. It was, however, a good lesson to me. If I was doing something good enough to take credit for, I should be the one taking the credit. Awareness is the first step. Small adjustments make a big difference.