Stop Waiting for Recognition That’s Never Coming

You’re probably a lot like me.

You’ve been told your whole life that if you work hard someone somewhere will notice.

That if you keep your head down and work yourself to the bone, you’ll get rewarded.

That the right people will eventually “discover” you.

Pfffffffff. It’s bogus.

Work hard all you want, but that’s just not how the world works.

Recognition and promotions don’t arrive like a f*cking rescue mission.

Nobody is launching a lifeboat to pluck you from the rough waters. No helicopter is dropping a ladder into your backyard. No searchlight is sweeping across the night sky calling your name.

NOBODY IS COMING TO SAVE YOU.

If you’re waiting to be discovered, you’re more behind than you think you are.

The Problem

Quiet & hardworking professionals too often treat words like “visibility” and “networking” like dirty words.

You tell yourself, “I don’t need to talk about my work. Or put myself out there. I just need to keep doing good work.”

But today, nobody has time to notice your work.

Everyone is busy. Especially people leaders.

Other colleagues are wrapped up in their own survival.

We’re all drowning in email and other shallow distractions.

That’s why you have to send signals today. Yep. Really strong signals. Not loud ones. But strong ones.

Because if you stay silent, the signal is clear: you’re comfortable where you are.

Otherwise, less capable people will keep getting tapped first.

Not because they’re better than you or more qualified, but because they’re easier to see.

How to Show Your Work Without Betraying Yourself

Build self-advocacy into your day-to-day and weekly rhythm.

Think of it like exercise.

You don’t get stronger by just going to the gym once (I f*cking wish). You get stronger by working out consistently.

The same applies to visibility. Here’s how to do it:

Power Move I: Networking Routine

Once every couple of weeks, have a casual interaction with someone that’s not on your direct team.

It can be a 10-minute 1:1, an email, or even a DM.

And then when they ask how you are or what’s new, don’t default to “busy”. Avoid the usual bland as f*ck answer.

Instead, name a win or something you’re proud of.

“I’m great. I’m actually proud of our team for implementing a new automated intake process.”

You’re teaching people in your organization what to associate your name with.

(Want more ways to make networking feel natural? Grab my free guide 5 Tiny Moves to Grow a Powerful Network)

Power Move II: Elevate Yourself & Others

Recognition multiplies when you give it away freely.

In cross-team spaces, say something like:

“Working with Sarah’s team gave me new insight into client needs. Together we cut response times by 25 percent.”

You’ve credited a colleague and still rightfully attached your name to the outcome.

So damn powerful.

Power Move III: Bring Your Boss Into Your Growth

We’re all susceptible to the flavour of the day. A lot of people use 1:1s to talk about the “now”.

And then neglect speaking about their growth & development (or worse, they only do it once a year during the annual review period).

Flip it. Start one with:

“Here’s where I think I’ve grown most this quarter. And one area I want to stretch next.”

Bang! Ultimate self-accountability.

Instead of waiting for someone to define your development arc, you’re owning it.

Bonus Power Move: Leave a Digital Trail

It’s 2025. We’re in the digital age. Social media is king.

Post something on Threads. Or LinkedIn. It doesn’t have to be about your personal life at all.

Share your big ideas. Your projects. When you solve a problem, write about the insight.
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It positions you as a thinker. And guess what? Others will gravitate towards you.

Closing Thoughts

If you keep waiting to be discovered, you’ll watch less capable people leapfrog you.

Trust me. I’ve been there.

You’ll see doors open for people who aren’t smarter, but who were bold enough to show their work.

Stop waiting for someone to “discover” you and start sending those signals we talked about.

And the next opportunity won’t just see you. It’ll come looking for you.

Happy Saturday,
Alain H.