You’re not being ignored at work; you’re being overlooked. Here’s why.

One of the things I’ve noticed over the last year is how important speaking has become as part of professional life. Whether it’s appearing on a podcast, being part of a panel, contributing to a media interview or simply sharing your thoughts on LinkedIn, more people are putting themselves out there and making space for their voice. There are more panel discussions, fireside chats, interviews and networking events than ever before, and in many ways, that’s a wonderful thing. We have access to an incredible amount of information, expertise and insight, learning from founders, leaders, experts and everyday people who have valuable experiences to share.

Yet despite having access to more information than ever before, I’ve also noticed a shift. More people are leaving events feeling that something is missing, without the spark that inspires change or continued conversation. As someone who spends a lot of time attending talks, moderating conversations and helping professionals build their personal brands, I’ve noticed that while many speakers are incredibly knowledgeable, not all of them are memorable. Recently, during a talk, I looked around the room and saw people checking their phones, responding to emails or mentally drifting somewhere else.

In an age of information overload, what do we actually remember?

It’s not because the speaker lacks expertise. In most cases, they’re highly accomplished and incredibly smart. The challenge is that information alone is no longer enough. Today, we can use AI, listen to a podcast or watch a YouTube video to access information. What we can’t find as easily is the human connection behind it, someone who truly inspires us.

They gave us an insight into who they were, what shaped them, what they struggled with and what they learned along the way. One of the most memorable talks I’ve attended was by Diane Von Furstenberg. She spoke about her mother being a Holocaust survivor, and that’s what I remember most. Not the fame, not the wrap dress, but the story that shaped who she became.

People listen when you’ve touched a chord, and a gifted speaker knows it’s not just what they say, but how they say it. It’s their energy, presence, stories and ability to make us feel connected to them.

Why professional visibility is crucial for career growth

I think this is particularly relevant for women in the workplace. I meet so many clients who are exceptional at what they do. They’re experienced, knowledgeable, highly capable and consistently deliver results. Yet when I look at their LinkedIn profiles, their CVs or even the way they talk about themselves, very little of that comes across.

They’re doing great work, but they’re not getting the visibility they deserve. There’s a fear of self-promotion, concern about saying the wrong thing, or a belief that good work speaks for itself. But in a crowded space, to stand out and be noticed, we need to move beyond that mental block and become more visible.

I encourage my clients to think differently about visibility. Not because they need to become influencers, but because people cannot appreciate your expertise if they never get the opportunity to hear it. Sometimes visibility starts with something as simple as sharing a point of view on LinkedIn or speaking about a cause, passion or interest that matters to you. For founders, it might be creating short videos about the work you do, products you sell or the problems you’re helping people solve. When people can see you, hear you and understand what you stand for, they begin to build trust in you.

Visibility is not the same as impact

However, there’s another side to this conversation. As more people look for opportunities to build their visibility through speaking engagements, podcasts, media interviews and thought leadership content, it’s important to remember that being visible and being impactful are not the same thing.

Not everyone has developed the skills required to communicate their ideas in a way that captures attention. Once again, it comes back to more than just content. We need to think about tonality, facial expressions, body language and the energy we bring into a conversation. We need to think about how we build rapport and how we make people feel. With AI and tools like ChatGPT becoming part of our daily lives, it’s easier than ever to create content. But the one thing technology cannot replicate is your lived experience, your perspective and your voice.

As an image consultant, I’ve seen that appearance, behaviour and communication work together. They don’t replace competence, expertise or hard work, but help ensure those qualities are recognised.

In a crowded and competitive environment, visibility is no longer just a nice-to-have. It’s part of how we build trust, credibility and opportunity. Whether you’re a founder or a professional, people cannot learn from your insights if they never hear them. The goal is not to become the loudest voice in the room. It’s to have the confidence to share your voice in the first place.

Shireena Shroff Manchharam is a Her World Tribe member, the founder and principal consultant of Sheens Consulting, and the founder and creator of Getting To Happy, a mental health movement to inspire our community and society to live happier, more mindful lives.