Chapter 6
Speak Up, Speak First, and Speak Often
To produce results, visibility must be combined with credibility. This means that you need to embrace visibility strategies that display your distinction, competence, expertise, authority, and leadership.
—Steven Van Yoder American journalist and author
Different Levels of Visibility
We're all aware of the fact that every person is different, and who we are and how we show up at work are unique. People come from different families, genders, races, classes, and cultures. These variances influence your professional behavior, the approach you bring to certain situations, and your overall comfort regarding visibility. All of these elements either enhance or limit your success at work.
Based on who you are, you will likely identify with one of these four types of personalities as they relate to visibility. Which one are you?
1. Observer—Stands back, observes, and holds back from visibility.
2. Participant—Becomes visible when comfortable.
3. Initiator—Actively looks for and creates visibility.
4. Leader—Is influential and maintains high visibility.
It may be easy for you to quickly identify with one predominant personality type, a couple of different types, or all four of these roles based on the circumstances in which you find yourself. Whatever type you are, the ultimate objective is to become a leader and to maintain high visibility. Even individuals with observer or participant tendencies have to learn and leverage how to stand ...
