“What to Do When You’re Overlooked,”

 Tue 20 August 2024

How to Get Your Work Noticed When You’re Introverted 

The babble hypothesis suggests that people who speak more are perceived as having greater leadership abilities—no matter the quality of what they’re saying. This means that quieter employees are more likely to be overlooked compared to more extroverted, assertive, and outspoken colleagues. Here are three ways to get noticed, even if you’re more introverted.

(1) Focus on engaging—not just speaking—with people.

 Rather than simply talking more often, ensure you’re communicating intentionally with colleagues. What does the person you’re speaking with care about? How can you share information or updates in a way that resonates with them? 

(2) Be present, not just efficient.

 Consider how the work you’re doing could lead to further opportunities. When you finish a project, are there stakeholders who might be interested in learning about it? Could it help you make the case for a new project you’ve been wanting to start?

(3) Celebrate yourself. 

It’s common to think that good work will be visible and appreciated purely because it’s good. However, people are busy, and you can’t assume your work will speak for itself. It’s part of your job to make sure your wins pierce through all the other noise. 

this tip is adapted from the HBR IdeaCast episode, “What to Do When You’re Overlooked,” featuring Jessica Chen in conversation with HBR’s Alison Beard