Visibility and Opportunities at the workplace
AWLA in Collaboration with IBA joins the world to celebrate IWD and in line with the IWD 2024 campaign theme: Inspire Inclusion. We invite all and sundry to contribute your quota to inspire inclusion. When we inspire others to understand and value women’s inclusion, we build a critical mass of women to push the boundaries and shatter the glass ceilings thereby forging an inclusive and better world. And when women themselves are inspired to be included, there’s a sense of belonging, relevance, empowerment and growth.
Join the Empowerment train: invest in the African woman
Our own way of inspiring inclusion is in investing in the African Woman. Thus we at AWLA partner with the IBA to expound on the IBA President: Almudena Arpón de Mendívil’s initiative : the 10 Commandments in building and fortifying the African Woman to Shatter the Glass ceilings as I take on No 7 and 8 visibility and opportunities at the workplace
The ten Commandments:
TO BREAK THE GLASS CEILING IN OUR PROFESSION
A. Those which depend on us
1. Merits are a must; we must constantly keep building our skills and knowledge
2. Grow professional relationships, a network, of the widest possible range of people
3. Gain visibility. Internal and external
4. Own the professional space that belongs to you
5. Maintain work-life balance; define your priorities. Find your super food/whatever you
need to gain strength
6. Be yourself. It is the thing you excel at
B. Those which the workplace must embrace
1. Opportunity
2. Visibility
3. Flexibility
4. Mentoring, sponsoring
VISIBILITY AND OPPORTUNITIES AT THE WORKPLACE
By: Mandy Demechi-Asagba
Visibility at the workplace means that your work is noticed, acknowledged, valued, validated and rewarded
It can be likened to an invitation, when you attend , did you participate actively or you’re just there to warm the seat and if actively, you have made your footprints, followed with validation, warm appreciation and validation. Before long a call comes in to appreciate you again and invite you to another event for making the last event memorable and like to have you attend again and again.
The invitation loops you into important information, and you are asked to be a part of projects, lead teams, and take on new roles. Participation means you have a notable and fundamental contribution to the work. And validation means your work is recognized, approved, valued and rewarded with promotion, referrals, gaining a larger purview, or being given an increased span of control.
Visibility is the key that unlocks opportunities at the workplace.
Visibility brings:
Opportunities
Influence
Recognition
Trust
Confidence
Experience
OPPORTUNITIES
Being visible helps you get noticed by decision-makers and considered for assignments, promotions, interesting projects, or other opportunities where your skills are needed. If people don’t know who you are or what you’re capable of, nor the special skills you have, they’re less likely to think of you when opportunities or promotions arise.
INFLUENCE
Being visible gives you the opportunity to influence others. You can share your ideas and perspectives, build support for your projects, and help shape your organisation’s culture and make your organisation more impactful.
RECOGNITION
Visibility helps you get recognition for your work and contributions. When people see what you’re doing and how it’s benefiting the organisation, they’re more likely to acknowledge your efforts and give you credits and referrals
TRUST
Visibility earns you trust.
It makes people know you and what you’re capable of, thus, they’re more likely to trust you. This can be especially important if you’re in a leadership role or working on projects that require buy-in from others.
CONFIDENCE
Being visible builds your confidence. The more visible you are the more confident you become
EXPERIENCE
You keep getting better at what you do and keep updating yourself. Everyday is a new experience- your skills are constantly horned by experience as the popular saying that experience is the best teacher.
Thus you must be intentional about getting visible at your workplace.
HOW DO I GET VISIBLE
Take initiative- show willingness to take on additional tasks and or assignments
Delivering on the assignments
Be at your best, excellent in tasks assigned
Speak up in meetings only when necessary, attending meetings with purpose gives you a platform to showcase your ideas and expertise To ensure you’re prepared, review the agenda beforehand and come up with questions. This shows engagement and attention to detail, making a lasting positive impression
Be a very good listener
Be time conscious to deliver timeously
Do not give excuses for failure, get it done anyhow humanly possible
Always go the extra mile to accomplish assigned tasks and or project
Give all it takes to accomplish the task
Accept to take on tasks that others are rejecting
Be the available, ever ready and willing staff
Volunteer to take on tasks and or assignment or render services when needed
Always look for problems to solve and provide solutions
Be ever ready and willing to learn
Be self motivated
Be humble, respectful and friendly
Be intentional in acquiring relevant new skills
Be willing to assist others
Be intentional about how you show up at work.
All capped in the popular yoruba adage:
‘Ise ni ogun ise’
‘aiki shine mafita ga talauci’
Work is the panacea for poverty
‘Ise kin pani, on tuni se’
Iṣẹ́ àṣekára kì í pa ènìyàn, kàkà bẹ́ẹ̀ ó jẹ́ kí o jẹ́ ènìyàn tí ó dára jùlọ
‘aiki tuƙuru ba ya kashewa, maimakon haka, yana sa ka zama mutumin kirki’
hard work does not kill, rather, it makes you a better person
*****Get the Ibo translations
Be kind and thoughtful: People want to collaborate with kind, thoughtful, good people and would want such in their team
Experts state that being kind can reduce employee burnout, boost self-esteem, trigger positive emotions, and increase overall well-being. Being kind is an opportunity to hone your soft skills, like empathy, compassion, resilience and adaptability — traits that allow others to see you as approachable, collaborative, inclusive and as a valuable employee and emerging leader.
21. Network at every given opportunity Don’t be shy about linking up with other visible superstars at work.
establish a strong network within your organisation and industry by attending company events and actively seeking opportunities to connect with colleagues and decision-makers, both in-person and remotely. Clearly communicate your role and value to the organisation to increase recognition and open doors for future opportunities. Intentionally
connect and build relationships with those you admire with the intention of understanding how they earned their visibility. Work with them, or for them and alongside them.
Your contributions will become more visible to them, increasing the potential to earn their sponsorship of you even when you’re not present. You’ll gain insights into how to pave your own path forward through their journeys.
22. Avoid gossips. If you must criticise criticise constructively not destructiveness.
It is pertinent to note that visibility will garner more attention for you, which can lead to increased pressure to deliver great results and perform at a higher level. With visibility, comes responsibility. When you put yourself out there, you transform into a role model for others.
Increasing your visibility takes time. Be patient and know that as you demonstrate your expertise and commitment, people will take notice of your work, ask for your participation and input, and ultimately, acknowledge, value, and reward you for your contributions.
Happy International Women’s Day!!!
Thank you.
Reference:
How to Increase your visibility at work: 6 steps for career advancement
by Georgie Hubbard
13, July 2023 Newsletter Career Confidence
How to Become More Visible at Work
by Nicole D. Smith and Angela Cheng-Cimini
August 18, 2023
Hbr.org
10 Tips to Raise Your Visibility at work.careermasterclass.com
IBA-AWLA INT’L 2024 WOMEN’S DAY SLIDES
