Ask Work It: How to be more visible at work without showing off

Key Wellness, Self-Care, and Productivity Strategies

• Reduce anxiety by shifting from “performance” to “communication needs”

  • If regular updates make you anxious (e.g., fear you’re not doing well), remember updates are often about clarity and alignment, not judgment.

• Find a balance between visibility and “not trying too hard”

  • If you’re the only person giving lots of upward updates, peers may perceive it as unusual (e.g., a “suck-up” vibe).
  • Conversely, if updates are the norm and you don’t update, you may also stand out—so match the social baseline of your team.

• Use “aligned updates” instead of over-reporting for its own sake

  • Updates that go beyond status and include decision points can be seen as initiative and teamwork.
  • Aim for updates that help your manager act quickly if something changes (e.g., blockers, next milestones, sickness coverage).

• Use structured, manager-tailored update methods

  • Ask your manager how they want updates delivered, such as:
    • email vs. verbal vs. text/Slack
    • frequency expectations
    • whether they want fewer messages (e.g., “update when you’re back”)
  • This helps you avoid misreading the request and reduces the risk of annoying or “too visible” behavior.

• Prefer quick consultative check-ins over frequent broadcast updates

  • Instead of sending constant written updates, request brief time (e.g., 5 minutes) to:
    • run through what’s happening
    • clarify direction
    • confirm alignment verbally
  • This frames communication as collaboration and clarity—not self-promotion.

• Clarify the purpose behind the update request

  • If the reason feels “iffy,” don’t jump to a negative conclusion (e.g., “you’re not doing great”).
  • Ask constructively:
    • “How would you like me to give updates?”
    • “What is the objective/audience for these updates?”
  • Understanding the purpose helps you tailor content appropriately.

• Keep the manager relationship warm

  • If interactions start feeling colder or withdrawn, consciously maintain warmth:
    • acknowledge the need for updates
    • confirm how you can be most helpful
    • ask what details and format the manager wants

Presenters / Sources

• Gerald
• Nat