This whole visibility theory

I’ve been lucky, not blessed to have worked with more good bosses than dire ones. For two out of these, we went on to become family friends and career coaches. Both of these A list bosses are quite successful in their careers. What I find interesting is how they both hold strong, varying views on the same topic and even more strange, how both theories helped them in their career journey.

My number one boss had a theory of being deliberately visible at work. Nothing overt he’d say – just taking credit for your work and appending your signature on great tasks you’ve accomplished. Back then, he’d often push you to make presentations to a larger than your pay grade audience, he had good theories about the push-and-pull effect of a having a good word said here and there about your work.

Boss number two was always a stickler for ‘do your work and you’d be sought out. You don’t have to go seeking an audience, your work will speak for you was always his argument. Just do that work very well. It worked well for boss number two. Both are of the same faith and believe in the theory of time and chance. Each time I asked boss one if he didn’t think he was working out his promotion himself, he quickly reminds us that that’s what our brains are for – to think, strategise and move in he’d say. Each argues and correctly so that boss two: You don’t have to blow your own trumpet, nicer when the choir does it on your behalf – boss one: The world is chaotic and loud, and you’d never get heard if you don’t blow your own trumpet, he’d say and loudly too. Just be ready to deliver to the attention of the audience, was his simple theory.

What was fascinating about boss one is how he often delivered his resumes without an iota of pride, he’d just be very unpretentious and very as a matter of fact about his knowledge and accomplishments. My second boss was extremely modest and very good. Each time I present their theories at my female networking group – there are often too many arguments and theories. Lean in, the book by Sheryl Sandberg (COO of Facebook and one time Forbes fifth most powerful woman in the world), also stirs things up somewhat. A great read for a woman in the workplace – as with every book, it is subject to the reader’s interpretation as I was taken aback to listen to another friend’s interpretation of the messages in Lean in.

My understanding and take out however includes – get your job done well (I’m adding really) well and bring value to the table – there is no alternative to this. Take up and volunteer for opportunities, she says, be brave and courageous to speak up, sit down and lean in when you get invited to the table, only….

I still don’t understand the theory she proffered on the visibility matter, but to be honest, I find that whole business very unsettling. Naïve or not, I do believe that you do not have to jump over the moon to get noticed, I’m from the school of “your work will speak for you.” Even better, those opportunities will come in time – to be more specific, my personal mantra is that opportunities will come; maybe within or without the organisation.

I often think you’re in the danger row when your entire life is wrapped around that work. Always a recipe for a debacle they say. You must get self value from within and outside of work. There’re must be, more to assuage your inner self. It’s hard and sad to play to the gallery just to keep with the visibility theory. I’m interested to know if heart surgeons are picked by visibility – does anyone know how?

Please, note that the above theory is almost a lone voice in the wilderness. There’re a zillion books and guides and even research that tie remuneration increases and promotions to deliberate visibility at work. I love the American titles, though they elicit a grin when I see them – ‘Poor visibility hampers career growth,’ ‘don’t fly under the radar at work’ ‘Get that raise-focus on high visibility at work’ ‘5 steps to get that promotion, starting with visibility.’

A friend of mine will say to this ‘tis very American.’

By: Nkiru Olumide-Ojo