My career feels like a polygamous marriage.

“My career feels like a polygamous marriage. I am committed, I show up, I contribute, but I receive no recognition. My voice in meetings goes unheard, and I am left wondering when, if ever, my contributions will be acknowledged.

These words came from a professional who felt stuck in her career journey. Her honesty reassured me of the work I do to help invisible voices be seen and heard. 

Her experience is not unusual. Many mid-career professionals describe the same struggle with being visible at work. They feel overlooked, undervalued, and unheard. Invisibility at work can drain your confidence, derail your career progression, and erode your self-worth. If not managed well, it can affect your well-being.  

In addition, a global survey by the Human Workplace Index, Human Workplace Index: The Price of Invisibility, revealed that nearly 30% of workers have felt invisible at work, while 27% reported feeling outright ignored. This data highlights the prevalence of invisibility at work.

 When you are invisible at work, you are less likely to perform at your best, and this impacts your organisation too. Invisibility is a loss for everyone. 

If you are experiencing invisibility at work, consider this your call to pause, reflect, and take bold action to reclaim your presence and power.

"The negative impact of workplace invisibility is captured powerfully by George Packer, who wrote: 'The invisibility of work and workers in the digital age is as consequential as the rise of the assembly line and, later, the service economy.” (The New Yorker, February 24, 2014). 

As a staff member or employer, how do you make others feel visible?  

As a careers coach, I am concerned by how widespread this issue has become. It is a barrier that erodes confidence and limits career growth.  

What Causes Invisibility? 

Invisibility can arise from external factors, such as: 

• Systemic bias 

• Unclear role expectations 

• Organisational culture 

  
  

It can also stem from internal factors like: 

• Limiting beliefs 

• Fear of the consequences of self-promotion 

• Habits that reinforce “keep your head down and “cover your yam syndrome.”  

• Lack of confidence 

Reclaiming visibility is not only about changing how others see you. It is about shifting how you see yourself. This process gives you agency to be the person you want to be.  

Descent into invisibility  

At the start of your career, you are fast with enormous potential, just like a new mobile phone.  

But just like a mobile phone, your career needs maintenance. To stay visible and relevant, you must delete outdated habits, reset your goals, and recharge your brand. Without updates and battery care, even the best mobile phone slows down. Your career is no different. 

Your First Step to Being Seen - Step Into the CEO Role 

Visibility begins with ownership. Appoint yourself the Chief Executive Officer of your career and drive your career with intention. Like any astute CEO, design a strategy to position yourself where your voice and presence matter most. 

Lead Your Career Like a CEO: Three Areas That Matter Most 

1. Skills Development: What new capabilities will future-proof your career and expand your influence? Tip: Commit to at least one learning activity per quarter. 

2. Network Management  Who do you need to connect with, nurture, or re-engage? Tip: Segment your contacts into categories: mentors, peers, sponsors, and power networks. 

3. Strategic Self-Promotion  How will you highlight your impact inside and outside your organisation?  Tip: Keep a Career Highlights File. This is a notebook or digital folder where you store feedback you’ve received, qualifications you’ve earned, and the impact you’ve made. This is not just a folder; it is a reminder of your growth, brilliance, and the value you bring. 

Your voice matters. Share your insights consistently with key stakeholders and professional contacts. Whether it is LinkedIn, your organisation’s platform, or another space, choose the channel that aligns with your style and confidence.  

“Cover Your Yam:” Visibility with Wisdom 

There is a saying in parts of Africa: “Cover your yam.” It means protecting what you have so it is not stolen, spoiled, or wasted. 

When applied to your career, it is a reminder that visibility should be strategic, not reckless. Share your achievements and contributions, but choose your platforms and audiences wisely. Not every effort needs to be broadcast.  

Think of it as balanced visibility: showing enough to be valued but “covering your yam” so that your growth remains protected. 

Finally  

Are you feeling invisible at work?  Reclaiming your visibility is your key to career progression. Engaging in the process empowers you to take ownership and reconnect with your sense of agency.

Do not suffer in silence. Your contributions at work deserve recognition, and your voice matters.

Appoint yourself CEO of your career today and take one bold action this week to step out of the shadows and into visibility.