How can remote learning designers be more visible at work?

Who would ever think that being humble could be tough on your career? Yet in today’s workplace, where visibility is the currency of advancement and opportunity, remote learning designers can’t afford to stay behind the scenes. Many professionals don’t realize that talking about and sharing your progress is not the same as self-promotion. It’s simply a fact that if no one sees your work or knows what you’re doing, you might as well be invisible.

Millions of knowledge workers, including learning professionals, now spend part or all of their time working remotely. A lack of visibility due to not being on-site to interact with SMEs, stakeholders, and leaders can potentially stall your career. But you can use these strategies as workarounds to the challenges of being a remote employee. (Note that in organizations where remote work is standard, remote employees receive promotions at rates comparable to in-office workers.)

Challenges of Working Remotely

Surveys with remote employees and their managers indicate that remote and hybrid work can hinder career visibility and advancement, as well as salary increases. According to one study, “Face time helps employees to receive better work and leads to career advancement because it is a strong signal of their commitment to their job, their team, and their organization,” (Cristea & Leonardi, 2019).

In another study, two key factors that helped mitigate the challenges of remote work were: taking on supplemental tasks beyond their core responsibilities and maintaining high levels of face-to-face interaction (Golden & Eddleston, 2020).

Researchers and career experts agree that it’s important to be as visible as possible even if you’re not physically in the office. Here are some of the strategies they recommend.

Improving Visibility at Meetings with SMEs and Stakeholders

As a learning designer, you may often work with subject matter experts and stakeholders that you’ve never met in person. They may have mental obstacles to working with someone virtually. Here are some ways to soften potential resistance.

• Participate actively in virtual meetings. Many people attend meetings and only half-listen to what is going on. Use meetings to differentiate yourself by contributing valuable ideas,  offering advice, and solving problems. If you are invited to attend, take advantage of the opportunity.
• Get a good camera and mic. Using a high-quality camera and microphone will ensure that you are clearly visible and audible.
• Keep your camera on. It’s so tempting to multitask at a meeting where you’re not very involved. You’re busy. But if you keep your camera on, it shows that you’re paying attention. Not only does this make you more visible (literally), it can help you stay focused on the meeting.
• Prepare to share your accomplishments (even if they are small). Have you ever been asked about your work before a meeting starts? Use that quiet moment to discuss a recent success. It doesn’t have to be groundbreaking, but it will help raise awareness of your efforts. Come prepared to answer that question.
• Send concise recap emails after meetings. This shows you are organized and value everyone’s time. These are good signs of leadership.
•  Facilitate demo sessions. Focus on opportunities to collaborate and get feedback by demonstrating your work in progress. Demonstrations help everyone understand the process and they can lead to valuable discussions.

Improving Visibility Across the Organization

In their study of two large multinational organizations, Cristea & Leonardi (2019) found that employees who were co-located at headquarters received more challenging, interesting, and important assignments than those who were not physically present. They concluded that employees who were visibly working hard were perceived by higher ups as having a greater job commitment.

• Leverage existing communication channels. Volunteer to write articles for your organization’s newsletter or participate in events where you can help others by sharing your expertise.
• Document processes. This underused strategy is a way to be more helpful and visible. If you’ve completed a complex process or figured out a repeatable solution to a common challenge, document it so that others can follow your instructions.
• Let others see your work. Many organizations miss out on the learning opportunities that arise from sharing their work. If it is not confidential, then share links to projects and deliverables so that colleagues and supervisors can view your work. Sharing also allows less experienced employees to learn from you.
• Participate in online communities at work. Large organizations often have online communities tailored to specific job roles or interests. If yours does not, consider starting one if you think it would be of interest to peers.
• Leverage digital tools: You’re using a videoconferencing app for meetings. You might also consider a collaboration platform for sharing resources, a collaborative project management tool for team communication and tracking, and chat channels for conversations. Lastly, keep your calendar visible to facilitate one-on-one meetings.

Strategies for Building Meaningful Relationships

Even though your time is limited, dedicate some of it to building relationships. Communication is an essential part of staying visible when you’re working remotely.

• Send regular updates. Provide brief updates to your manager at the end of the week or on a regular schedule. Ensure all your work and achievements are visible and documented.
• Schedule one-on-one meetings. Schedule short meetings to communicate your progress and receive feedback about your performance. Don’t wait for the annual review. Demonstrate how your work aligns with the organization’s objectives.
• Find a mentor. Your organization may have a mentorship program. If not, look for a leader who operates in a space that is relevant to your work. A mentor can guide you, assist with decisions, and even advocate on your behalf.
• Participate in virtual events. If your organization schedules virtual events for professional development or networking, take the opportunity to interact with colleagues and leaders. This is your opportunity to learn and build relationships.
• Collaborate in cross-functional teams. Volunteer to participate in cross-functional team projects if you have the opportunity. This will help expand your network within the organization.
• Share the spotlight. At meetings, in newsletters, and on social media, recognize team members for their efforts and achievements. This strengthens a team’s trust in you.

References:

1. Aksoy, C. G., Barrero, J. M., Bloom, N., Davis, S. J., Dolls, M., & Zarate, P. (2022, September 7). Working from home around the world. Brookings. https://www.brookings.edu/articles/working-from-home-around-the-world/
2. Bhajantri, V. (2024). Navigating Career Paths in a Remote World: The Influence of Work from Home on Employee Advancement and Organizational Support. Power System Technology. https://doi.org/10.52783/pst.1043.
3. Cristea, I. C., & Leonardi, P. M. (2019). Get noticed and die trying. Organization Science, 30(3), 552–572. https://doi.org/10.1287/orsc.2018.1250
4. Golden, T. D., & Eddleston, K. A. (2020). Is there a price telecommuters pay? Examining the relationship between telecommuting and objective career success. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 116, 103348.