“Out of sight, out of mind”
I’ve taken a lot for granted in my career. I’ve corrected many mistakes, while I’ve chalked others up to hard lessons learned.
I’m still learning and growing as I take on new challenges, and I don’t plan to slow down anytime soon. However, I am often reminded of past encounters and opportunities, both taken and passed, that have shaped my journey. One piece of advice came to me from an unlikely source, and it helped me retrain my brain to stop hiding in the shadows.
A director at Lenovo graciously shared this word of wisdom with me during my time there. He took a particular interest in an influencer marketing program I was managing.
I was fresh from a stint at a PR agency and wildly unfamiliar with the corporate world and its complex dynamics. The director noticed my reticence and reluctance to speak up. Here I was, charged with reimagining a program in plain view of our vice president, and I gave off an aura of fear that my superiors, including this director, read as aloofness.
He encouraged me to talk about the program and my efforts wherever possible — speak up in meetings, volunteer information, give unprompted status updates about my program, and connect more closely with our VP.
He expressed confidence in me and said he could see me growing in the group and organization, but I needed to step out from behind the curtain and build awareness of myself with the key decision-makers, like our vice president.
“Out of sight, out of mind,” he said. “If you stay in the shadows and don’t PR yourself, your work and your value, you won’t go far.”
I took that advice to heart.
Build Your Brand By Making Noise
If you keep your head down, no one will know what you’re doing or how hard you’re working. You have to make noise and shine the spotlight on yourself without being boastful.
Remember, the squeaky wheel gets the grease. Even if they’re less qualified than you.
Build your personal brand within your organization by volunteering to lead initiatives, sharing ideas with leadership, seeking opportunities that raise your visibility across functions—not just your own—and connecting with the movers who can help elevate you and your work to the next level.
High value without visibility won’t get you ahead. Come out from the shadows and create your own spotlight.