Are You Visible?

People who succeed often appear to know what to do to sustain that progress. They do not remain hidden: they go out, speak up, ask for help, put themselves forward, attend events, and look for opportunities that may not be obvious from a distance.

At one Cee4Bee networking evening, two invited speakers, Councillor Florence Eshalomi and Kwame Twum-Danso, made time to speak with each other. They discovered that their offices were close and immediately discussed meeting again. Both had also shared stories about connections and opportunities in their own journeys.

So ask yourself whether fear, shyness, mistrust, or habit might cause opportunities to pass by. One delegate said this after a single Cee4Bee event: “I have met someone at the event who is helping me achieve my goals.” That connection began because the delegate attended, met someone who offered coaching, and followed up afterwards.

It also reflected on the “hidden” job market and the role employee referrals can play. Whatever the precise figures, the practical point is that many opportunities are difficult to see in public and that networking, in its simplest form, can mean reaching out for help.

Reaching out can happen in many ways, but visibility is the common thread. So find a way to be more visible: go out, speak up, ask for help, put yourself forward, attend useful events, be interested in others, and connect with community members and allies. Those habits can make knowledge, support, and otherwise hidden opportunities easier to find.