Oops, You Thought That Was Enough? (And Other Career Plot Twists)
- Caroline Esterson
- Jun 9
- 4 min read
Updated: 6 days ago
You’re the safe pair of hands. The reliable one. The ‘we know you’ll get it done’ person. You’re so good, in fact, that they’ve started forgetting you’re even there. Because here’s the brutal truth: hard work alone won’t get you seen, promoted, or remembered.
Let’s bust the myth: “Do a good job and the rest will follow.”
It should work that way. But it doesn’t. Not in most organisations. And not if you’re someone who tends to stay quiet, avoid self-promotion, or believe that ‘good work speaks for itself.’
It doesn’t.
What people see is what they respond to. They notice confidence. They remember language that lands. And they’re influenced (often unconsciously) by visibility, not just value. You don’t need to fake confidence. Or shout the loudest. Or become some painfully slick LinkedIn influencer who says “synergy” unironically. What you need is a strategy. One that plays to your strengths and makes your impact clearer to the people who matter.
Three small shifts that change the game
1. Translate your work into outcomes.
Stop saying “I’ve been busy.” Start saying, “I delivered X, which led to Y.” Outcome language is memorable. Effort language is… invisible.
2. Make your wins visible.
Drop one success line into your next 1:1 or team chat. “One thing I made happen this week…” Boom. Now they see you.
3. Signal your intent.
Want stretch work? Say it. Out loud. “I’m looking to take on more strategic projects — if anything’s coming up, I’d love to be considered.”
This isn’t about ego. It’s about equity
If people with less experience are flying past you because they know how to be seen, that’s not just frustrating; it’s costly. To your career, your confidence, and your future options.
Visibility isn’t about becoming someone you’re not. It’s about making sure the right people see the real you — the one who’s already doing great work, and deserves to be in the room where decisions are made.
Want a cheat sheet to help you start? Grab my Visibility Checklist — seven small, strategic moves to help you get seen (without selling your soul).
Episode 1 of Little Moves, Big Careers — “Oops, You Thought That Was Enough?” launches June 10. This blog is just the warm-up.
Stay bold. Stay visible. You’ve got this.
"You think they’ll hear, 'Wow, they’re so committed.' What they actually hear is, 'Busy. Tired. Still not adding visible value."
from Episode 1
Why This Episode Matters
This one sets the tone. It says: we’re not here to play small or play nice. We’re here to:
Name the invisible rules
Teach you how to work with them (without selling out)
Help you shift from frustrated to freaking visible
And we do it with sass, science, and a few well-placed mic drops.
The Big Idea: Visibility Isn’t Vanity - It’s Strategy
Visibility isn't about bragging. It’s about closing the loop between your effort and other people’s understanding of your value.
Here’s how you start:
Stop reciting task lists. Start describing outcomes.
Make your progress visible in real time. Don’t wait for the performance review.
Say what you want. You’re not a mind-reader, and neither are they.
We unpack all of this (and more) in the episode, including how to:
Navigate vague feedback like “you’re not quite ready”
Get over the fear of being “too much”
Show up without shouting
Want the Shortcut?
I created a Visibility Checklist - 7 tiny moves that will change how you’re seen. They’re cheeky, strategic, and take less time than it takes to eat your sad desk lunch.
Listen to the Full Episode:
Episode 1: Oops, You Thought That Was Enough: Why Hard Work Alone Doesn’t Get You Noticed at Work
You’ll get the raw, unfiltered version - plus a few extra snorts of laughter and maybe one accidental rant. You’re welcome.
Stay bold. Stay visible. Stay a little bit audacious.
Episode 2 lands next week: “Let’s Talk About The Club” - the unspoken gatekeeping no one admits exists, but we’ve all felt.
And here's a cheeky extra tool to help too.
The Visibility Language Upgrade Guide
Stop Saying 'Busy'. Start Sounding Strategic.
If you’re doing great work but still being overlooked, it’s not just what you say — it’s how you say it.
This cheat sheet gives you quick, powerful swaps to sound more confident, outcome-focused, and visibility-savvy, without needing to shout or show off.
Use it in emails, meetings, updates, and reviews to make your value impossible to miss.
The Language Upgrade Cheatsheet
INSTEAD OF SAYING... | TRY SAYING... |
“I’ve been really busy.” | “I’ve just delivered X, and it’s already impacting Y.” |
“Just checking in.” | “Following up to keep the momentum going.” |
“No worries if not.” | “Let me know if you need anything else from me to move this forward.” |
“Hope that makes sense.” | “Let me know if you need any more details or clarity.” |
“Sorry to bother you.” | “Quick heads-up — this needs your input to progress.” |
“I just wanted to say…” | “Here’s what I’ve noticed/recommend/delivered…” |
“I helped with that.” | “I led/supported the delivery of X, which contributed to Y.” |
Power Phrase Add-Ons
Use these to signal impact, not just activity:
“...so the outcome was...”
“...which made it easier for…”
“...that resulted in…”
“...so the team could…”
Bonus Confidence Boost
Before your next meeting, pick one of the upgraded phrases and commit to using it out loud. These shifts build trust and visibility without sounding robotic or rehearsed.
They’ll help you come across more clearly.
Want more smart swaps and tiny upgrades?
SUBSCRIBE to Little Moves, Big Careers - the podcast that says what your boss won’t.
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