I danced the Macarena last week, and it reminded me of the value of making myself visible.
I got up to dance and felt self-conscious
I was travelling with a large tour group, and on the last evening there was a party.
When the macarena came on, three of the tour staff lined up, ready to go.
I got up too. I was the only guest of our whole group who did though.
For a brief moment, I felt self-conscious.
Then the line dance started and I got caught up in that famous rhythm. When the song finished, I high-fived the staffers, and then happily sat down again.
The unexpected, good consequence
Later that evening and through the next day, quite a few people called out to me by saying that they enjoyed seeing me up dancing.
No one wanted to specifically talk about the macarena. No one was looking for lessons.
They were just naturally tapping into an easy way to connect and many times these extended into fun conversations that I otherwise might not have had.
The benefits of visibility apply to work as well
The same principle applies at work.
When you choose to make yourself visible, it increases your opportunities for future connections.
Three ways to increase visibility at work
Here are three visibility moves that I share with mentees.
1. Turn your camera on
The first is to turn your camera on if you’re on a video call. It doesn’t have to be for every minute of every meeting. I didn’t stay up and dance to every song. When you can, let people see your facial expressions; see you take notes; see your environment; see that you are actively engaged.
You are giving people an easy way to open a conversation later about what they saw in your background, what you were wearing, or what energy you brought.
2. Sit at the table
A second visibility move is when you’re physically in the room, and you have a choice of sitting at the table or along the wall, sit at the table. If there are no assigned seats, have the confidence to be not just peripherally visible, but directly visible.
Just one of your authentic reactions might be what makes a point memorable to someone else, which they’ll link to you, which could strengthen a connection – just because of the chair you picked.
3. Make lots of introductions for a new person
Thirdly, when a new person joins your team, make a lot of introductions. This can be a series of water cooler moments. It can be in a meeting. It can be walking the office floor. And the person doesn’t need to be new to the whole firm, just to your team.
There’s a clear benefit to the new person, but you are also opening opportunities for people to start conversations with you about the new person and about life on a dynamic team.
Choose to make yourself visible to increase opportunities for future connections
I suppose a bonus option is to get up and dance at the next office party!
