What if I'm doing the work but nobody's looking?
We have all been there. You stay late to finish that report, you quietly fix a bug that would have crashed the system tomorrow, or you spend your afternoon mentoring a new teammate who was feeling overwhelmed. You do the work: the real, heavy-lifting, meaningful work, and then you wait. You wait for a "thank you," a nod in a meeting that acknowledges you actually exist.
But then, the meeting happens. The credit goes to the loudest person in the room, or worse, the project is discussed as if it simply finished itself. Cue the "Waa waa," game-show sound.
If you’re sitting at your desk right now feeling like a ghost in the machine, I want you to take a deep breath. First and foremost, I see you. I know how much energy it takes to keep showing up when it feels like your contributions are invisible. It’s exhausting, and it’s okay to be frustrated. But before we let that frustration turn into burnout, let’s talk about how we can start turning those lights on so people can finally see the incredible value you’re bringing to the table.
Raise your hand if the idea of "self-promotion" makes you want to hide under your desk. But here is the shift I want you to consider: advocating for your work isn't about ego; it’s about stewardship. If you are doing work that helps the company, your customers, or your team, your manager needs to know so they can make better decisions. When you keep your light covered, it's difficult for others to see. You’re not just talking about yourself; you’re talking about the human benefit of your work. You’re showing empathy for your colleagues and highlighting your role in making their lives easier. This is the heart of human-centric leadership. It’s not about "me, me, me"; it’s about "us, and how I helped us."
I remember a time earlier in my career when I felt completely overlooked. I was working twice as hard as everyone else, but I felt like I was part of the furniture. I waited for someone to discover me, as if I were a hidden talent in a movie. It never happened.
In Realizing You're Worth It, we explore this internal journey. When you truly understand your own value, you don't "brag" because you need validation; you speak up because you are confident in the contribution you’re making. You stop being a "compliance seeker" and start being a courageous contributor.
I promise you, the work you do matters more than you know. You aren't just a cog in a machine; you are a vital part of a human community.
If this resonated with you, I’d love to have you join our community. We’re all about moving away from the "corporate-speak" and getting back to what really matters: the people. You can subscribe to our weekly reflections for more thoughts on leading with courage and heart.
You're Worth It!
Coach Ha-Keem
