If Your Work Feels Like a Mystery, You Might Be Under-Communicating
Why visibility is as important as performance when it comes to career growth
Kamy Charles
8/9/20251 min read
The Silent Career Killer: Under-Communication
In many workplaces, your output is only half the equation. The other half? Ensuring the right people understand your contribution.
You could be delivering innovative solutions, leading complex projects, or saving the company thousands in costs—but if decision-makers don’t see it or understand it, it might as well not exist.
Why Communication = Career Currency
Performance without visibility is like a billboard in the desert—it’s there, but no one sees it. Under-communication can lead to:
Missed Promotions: Leaders promote who they trust and understand.
Stalled Projects: Without clear updates, priorities get shifted away from your work.
Lost Influence: If people can’t follow your logic, they can’t champion your ideas.
How to Make Your Work Visible Without Feeling Like You’re Self-Promoting
This isn’t about flooding inboxes or hijacking meetings—it’s about intentional, clear updates.
1. Lead with the “Why”: Don’t just share what you did—connect it to the bigger picture.
2. Tailor Your Language: Speak in outcomes, not only in technical jargon.
3. Build a Rhythm: Send a concise weekly or bi-weekly summary to key stakeholders.
4. Be Proactive: Anticipate the questions leaders might have and answer them upfront.
Visibility Protects You in Times of Change
When leadership shifts, budgets tighten, or priorities get shuffled, your reputation and track record matter most. Communicating well means people know what you bring to the table—without you scrambling to prove it last minute.
Final Thought
Communication isn’t fluff. It’s the bridge between your hard work and your career growth.
If you want your contributions to be recognized, stop letting them be a mystery.
Tell the story—before someone else writes it for you.