Strange why you’re not getting noticed at your workplace!

March 20, 2023

Have you ever been in a situation when you know you are capable of doing some great work, but your manager doesn't even know that? It feels frustrating, right? This generally happens when no one notices you. You cannot just hold a gun to their face to gain their attention. But you do want to get noticed so that you are not overlooked.

The data statistics from Zippia highlight some concerning trends related to employee engagement and leadership development. 79% of employees are likely to quit due to a lack of appreciation. Workers may feel unvalued and underappreciated, leading to feelings of insecurity about their job security and future prospects. Now, you know why you feel like quitting your job.

Let's make this article more realistic. Instead of making you understand each and every point, I will be sharing a case study. How one of the mentees got visibility that helped his gain a great position in her company. For confidentiality purposes, I will be going by the made-up name “Rajesh”. And at the end I have some secrets to share. 

Rajesh is hardworking in his job but was feeling purposeless and was not happy. Being introverted he was not very likely to go out for social events. Most of the time, he was feeling frustrated alone, thinking about what was going to happen next in the company. Will he get noticed for his work? He was always putting in extra hours and going above and beyond to ensure that his work was top-notch

Despite his dedication, Rajesh couldn't help but feel frustrated that his efforts seemed to go unnoticed. He noticed that other colleagues who were less skilled and put in less effort seemed to get promoted faster and receive more recognition than he did. Rajesh began to feel discouraged and wondered if all his hard work was in vain.

Now you can see how being unnoticed at work can get you out of the picture. And I know you don't want to do that. Switching jobs again and again requires patience, and you do want stability in your job. Before moving forward, let's look at the most common reasons that can make you invisible.

"The only limit to our realization of tomorrow will be our doubts of today." - Franklin D. Roosevelt

Do you feel like you're putting in all the effort at work but still not getting the recognition you deserve? You're not alone. Many of us struggle with feeling overlooked or undervalued in our workplaces.

But why does this happen? 

Reason #1: Not Speaking Up / Shy

One common reason why you may not be noticed is that you are not speaking up enough. It's easy to get lost in the shuffle at work, especially if you're not actively participating in discussions or sharing your ideas. You are not offering your opinions and suggestions.  This reduces the engagement score.

Reason #2: Not Networking / Loners

Another reason you may not be noticed is that you are not networking enough. It's important to build relationships with colleagues and managers across departments to increase your visibility and gain support for your ideas. You always feel tired of taking the initiative to connect with colleagues outside of your immediate team and attend company events to meet new people.  

Ask yourself “Do you have allies who can help you get noticed?”

Reason #3: Not Taking Initiative / Lazy

If you're not taking the initiative to take on new projects or responsibilities, you may not be getting noticed at work. Managers are often looking for employees who are willing to go above and beyond and take on challenges. You want to be in your comfort zone and let good opportunities slide. 

Reason #4: Not Communicating Accomplishments / Hesitant

Finally, one of the most common reasons why you may not be noticed is that they're not communicating your accomplishments effectively. It's important to keep track of your achievements and share them with your colleagues and managers. You are not highlighting your accomplishments in performance reviews and one-on-one meetings with your manager.

Reason #5: Not having Soft Skills / Careless

Lack of soft skills can be a major reason why some employees fail to get noticed in the workplace. Soft skills refer to interpersonal skills, such as communication, problem-solving, teamwork, adaptability, and emotional intelligence. Poor problem-solving skills can prevent you from resolving conflicts and coming up with innovative solutions to challenges.

Emotional intelligence, which refers to the ability to understand and manage one's own emotions and those of others, is becoming increasingly important in the workplace.

"The ability to communicate with people in a way that inspires, influences, and connects is a skill that will never become outdated."  - Farshad Asl

Now you know what factors are coming your way. How many of those are the reasons coming your way? Comment below. Let's continue the case study about Rajesh and how he turned the tables around. 

One day, Rajesh’s supervisor, who had been with the company for over a decade, decided to retire. A replacement was needed, and management announced that they would be considering internal candidates for the position. Rajesh was ecstatic at the possibility of being considered and immediately began preparing her application.

As he submitted his application, he couldn't help but wonder if he would be seen as a viable candidate, given the lack of recognition he had received in the past. He knew that visibility was key to being considered for promotions, but he wasn't sure how to increase his visibility without being seen as a self-promoter.

Pause for a moment and write down the points Rajesh should consider. Let's check to see if you got any of the points listed here. 

In today's competitive workplace, it's important to differentiate yourself from others to get noticed. Developing specialist skills can be a great way to stand out and showcase your value to the organization. If you're a generalist, it's important to think strategically about the types of skills that your organization needs and work on building these skills to become a specialist.

2. Silent Influencer:

People are most curious about the silent influencers who possess quiet confidence and speak up often enough to make their voices heard without being too loud or self-promoting.

3. Help Your Colleagues Succeed

Sharing the momentum, you're building with others is a sign of self-confidence, self-trust, teamwork, and collaborative leadership. It creates more opportunities for everyone.

4. Problem Solver

Being a problem solver not only gains visibility but also builds credibility and trust in the workplace. When you consistently demonstrate the ability to tackle and resolve difficult issues, you become a go-to person for critical tasks, which can open up new opportunities for growth and advancement in your career.

5. Communicate Effectively

Be a great listener and an effective communicator. Make sure people understand your perspective, and ask questions to understand theirs. Use clear and concise language to communicate effectively.

Besides all these, one of the most important factors is to have self-promotion as well. Self-promotion can help individuals gain visibility in the workplace by increasing their profile, showcasing their skills and accomplishments, and creating more opportunities for career growth and advancement. Here are five easy steps to promote yourself in the workplace 

I have also discussed in previous blogs how to showcase yourself to your boss's boss. Refer to this article. Let's continue with Rajesh. 

Rajesh decided to take matters into his own hands and began seeking out opportunities to showcase his skills and expertise. He volunteered for high-profile projects and offered to take on additional responsibilities. He also made an effort to connect with colleagues across departments and build relationships with influential individuals within the company.

Rajesh’s efforts paid off, and he was ultimately selected for the supervisor position. He realized that it wasn't just about doing good work, but also about being visible and building relationships. Rajesh had been so focused on doing his job well that he had overlooked the importance of visibility in the workplace.

As Rajesh settled into her new role, he made it a priority to ensure that his team members were recognized for their contributions and encouraged them to seek out opportunities to increase their visibility within the company. Rajesh’s team thrived under his leadership, and the company began to see the benefits of investing in its employees' visibility and recognition.

Rajesh made it his mission to ensure that all employees had the opportunity to be seen and recognized for their hard work. 

"Appreciation is a powerful motivator that can inspire employees to achieve great things."

Inspiring journey of Rajesh, right? I know most of you might feel overwhelmed. But I have some secrets to share with you. These hacks can take your visibility to the next level.  If you want to increase your visibility at work, there are three secret techniques that you should keep in mind. 

So, don't wait any longer. Start taking steps today to increase your visibility and get the recognition you deserve. You've got this!

I understand that it can be challenging for individuals to gain visibility in their workplace, which can hinder their career growth. However, I'm here to help you overcome this obstacle and guide you towards success.

It's essential to let others know about the work you're doing in a tactful manner. This means communicating your achievements and accomplishments to your manager, colleagues, and other stakeholders without coming across as boastful or arrogant. 

I can help you develop skills and strategies that will allow you to effectively promote your work and gain the recognition you deserve. DM me to know more about it.

In summary, by working with me, you'll gain the knowledge, skills, and confidence necessary to improve your career visibility and achieve success in your workplace. 

Let's work together to take your career to the next level!

That's all I have for now. I will see you in my next post.