RISE ~ CONNECT ~ DISCOVER

You're Doing the Work—So Why Aren't You Being Seen?

Tuesday, February 25, 2025

TLO Newsletter Blog/Communication/You're Doing the Work—So Why Aren't You Being Seen?

You step up, handle more than your fair share, and keep things running—yet no one seems to notice. Instead of appreciation, you get more piled on your plate, as if your competence is an invitation for others to take advantage. Imagine what it would feel like to set boundaries, communicate your contributions clearly, and finally be acknowledged as the leader you already are.

Now, think about what happens if you don’t. The workload keeps growing, the recognition never comes, and burnout feels inevitable. When leaders fail to communicate their value and set expectations, others will assume they can handle more—without question or reward. If you don’t speak up, who will?

Take Indra Nooyi, former CEO of PepsiCo. Early in her career, she found herself constantly over-delivering without being acknowledged. Instead of waiting for recognition, she took control of the conversation, making her contributions clear and advocating for her value. That mindset propelled her to the top. She didn’t just work hard—she communicated her impact.
It’s time to stop waiting for recognition and start ensuring your voice is heard.

Now let's take Massive ACTION!

RISE

Speak with Authority—Not Just Urgency

Being overworked and overlooked often comes from a simple issue: You communicate what you’re doing, but not why it matters. If you only focus on tasks, leadership will continue to see you as a task-doer—not a decision-maker. To shift this, start communicating your impact, not just your effort. Instead of saying, "I processed all the reports," say, "I streamlined the reporting process, ensuring leadership had real-time insights to make strategic decisions." This subtle shift moves you from worker to leader in action.

Action: Choose one of your daily tasks and rewrite it as a leadership-driven impact statement. Practice using this language in your next conversation with leadership

CONNECT

Stop Waiting for Recognition—Ask the Right Questions

Recognition often doesn’t come automatically—sometimes, you have to guide leadership to see your impact. One powerful way to do this is by asking strategic questions that make them take notice.

Next time you finish a major task, ask:
🔹 "How did this solution improve operations for the team?"
🔹 "Would you like me to take the lead on improving this process further?"
🔹 "What can I do to help streamline this for you?"

These questions signal that you are proactive, strategic, and valuable—and they force leadership to recognize what you’re doing.

Action: Choose one strategic question to ask a higher-up this week that directs attention to your contributions.

DISCOVER

Strengthen Your Leadership Identity Beyond the Workplace

Effective communication is not just about how others perceive you—it begins with how you perceive yourself. If you feel overworked and under-appreciated, ask yourself: Am I reinforcing this perception through how I communicate? Leaders who struggle to recognize their own value often find it difficult to articulate it to others.

Assess your leadership identity: Do you see yourself as a problem-solver, a decision-maker, or an innovator? If not, why? Your leadership role is more than the tasks you complete—it is the ability to influence, guide, and create solutions. Developing self-awareness is the foundation for shifting how you present yourself and ensuring that your communication reflects the leader you aspire to be.

However, your leadership extends beyond your professional role. Leadership is not confined to job responsibilities; it exists in the way you navigate challenges, support others, and pursue growth in all areas of life. Consider the strengths, passions, or values that define you outside of work. How do you lead in your personal life, and how can those qualities enhance your professional presence?

Action: Write down three ways you create impact beyond your job description. Then, reflect on how these strengths also appear in your personal life. Identify one adjustment you can make this week to ensure your leadership identity is recognized—both in and outside of work.

You Deserve to Be Heard—Make Sure You Are

Your hard work isn’t invisible—it just needs the right spotlight. When you shift how you communicate, you shift how you're perceived. Own your impact, advocate for yourself, and take charge of your leadership journey.

You've got this.

— KSA Writing Tips -

Don’t Just List Duties—Show Leadership in Action

When crafting your KSAs, avoid passive descriptions like "Managed daily operations."
Instead, use action-driven language:
✅ "Led a team of 10, ensuring operations ran smoothly and improving workflow efficiency by 20%."

KSAs should reflect your leadership impact—not just what you did, but how you drove results.