Most employees assume good work speaks for itself.
So do a lot of managers.
But that belief? It keeps entire teams invisible.
Let’s talk about the manager mindset for a moment.
Some believe their team’s work will naturally get noticed.
Others worry that showcasing their team will steal focus from their own contributions.
Many are just too busy proving themselves to promote anyone else.
And honestly?
They’re not wrong to feel that way — they were never shown a different model.
They likely had to hustle.
No one spotlighted them.
So they assume… that’s just how it works.
But here’s what gets missed:
If your team lacks influence, so do you.
Because leaders are judged by how well they elevate others — not just how much they deliver.
Employees — you’re not off the hook.
If you avoid visibility, it’s not because you don’t care.
It’s because it feels risky.
You don’t want to be seen as self-promoting.
You don’t want to outshine your peers.
And frankly, you’re too busy doing the work to stop and talk about it.
But if you’re not influencing how your work is seen —
someone else is shaping that narrative for you.
And you may not like how it ends.
💡 Want to change this dynamic?
Employees: Influence isn’t about self-promotion.
It’s saying, “Here’s what worked — and here’s how it helped the team.”
It’s looping in the right people, owning your impact, and making sure the right work gets seen.
Managers: Reframe success.
It’s not about being the hero — it’s about building them.
If you feel the urge to protect the spotlight, get a mentor who can hold yours steady while you lift someone else’s.
Because the truth is:
You don’t have to want a promotion to deserve to be seen.
And you don’t have to stand out alone to lead well.