You don’t have to be a director or a leader to be “the go-to person” for something – and to benefit from it. In every organisation there are people you think of as: “the recruitment person”, “the one who always figures problems out”, “the Excel lady”. Associations like these – sometimes half-joking, sometimes appreciative – create internal recognisability.
And it is this recognisability that decides whether someone thinks of you at the planning stage, not only when there is a fire to put out.
This is not textbook “personal branding”. It is rather the sum of small behaviours through which people know:
what to come to you with,
how you think,
what they can expect from you.
Meanwhile, many experts who want to be more visible make two basic mistakes:
The first is “stamping your foot” – loudly reminding everyone that you foresaw something, but without real shared responsibility for the process. “But I told you so!” triggers defensiveness, not reflection.
The second mistake is mixing up modes of working. When the team or decision-makers need a quick solution, the expert starts with “it depends” and breaks the situation down into its smallest parts. And others go grrr… and avoid them next time.
But when what is needed is a process – arriving at a solution together – the expert imposes a ready-made concept with no space for co-creation. The result? Frustration on both sides. Despite the knowledge, influence doesn’t appear.
Recognisability is not based on volume, but on your competencies and way of thinking becoming recognisable, understandable and useful to others. On being “useful” to others. And we use that word quite deliberately.
What helps?
Naturally sharing what interests you and what you specialise in. Talk about what you are learning, what you discovered in a new project, what intrigued you in a new approach to a topic. Share – don’t lecture.
Speaking up – but not in the form of a “golden paraphrase”. When you refer to what someone has said, show that you heard it. “Ania has already mentioned this; I’d like us to stop on it for a moment, because…”
Activity on LinkedIn – even basic – strengthens your recognisability inside the company too. Many leaders look at their people’s profiles. By posting and commenting wisely, you show that you have something to say – and you do it with class.
Because what others know – or don’t know – about you starts with what you show them every day.