Here's what nobody tells you about workplace recognition: The people who do the best work are often the least visible, while the people who do the most visible work are rarely the best.
This creates what I call the Visibility Paradox: - Work hard in silence = Stay invisible forever - Promote yourself aggressively = Look desperate and political - Do nothing = Obviously fail
So what's the solution? Strategic Visibility—the art of ensuring your value is seen without seeming like you're trying to be seen.
Most high performers feel their contributions go unnoticed. But here's the kicker: when these same people try traditional self-promotion, they're viewed less favorably by colleagues and supervisors.
You need a third way.