Have you ever felt like you’re putting in all the effort at work but still being overlooked? You want to stand out in your career, maybe it’s for a promotion, a leadership opportunity, or even just basic recognition for the value you bring. If you’ve been there, you’re not alone—and here’s the thing: It’s not your work that’s the problem. It’s how you’re communicating your value.
Advancing to the next level in your career isn’t just about working hard. It’s about showing decision-makers the difference you make in a way that resonates with them. That’s why I created the IMPACT Framework, a simple, six-step process to help you go from being invisible to invaluable in your organization.
Let’s dive into the steps so you can start standing out today.
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1. Identify Your High-Value Contributions
Let’s start with a question: How much of your work actually moves the needle for your organization? If you’re not sure, you’re not alone. Many of us get caught up in busy work—tasks that fill our schedules but don’t really make a meaningful difference.
And when you do this, it makes it hard for you to stand out in your career because no one can see how you’re bringing value to the table.
Here’s how to fix it:
- Spend one week auditing how you use your time. Write down everything you do and how long it takes.
- Look for tasks that directly contribute to your team’s or organization’s key goals.
- Eliminate, delegate, or automate low-value tasks that don’t truly matter. If you can’t eliminate, delegate, or automate, think about how you can become more efficient at completing those tasks.
Example: If your role involves managing client accounts, focus on the actions that strengthen relationships or drive revenue, not just routine data entry.
Pro Tip: Identify your organization’s top priorities. Are they increasing revenue, improving efficiency, or driving innovation? Link your work to those goals.
2. Measure and Document Your Results
When was the last time you documented your wins at work? If you can’t remember, it’s time to start. You can’t rely on your memory to track your accomplishments—especially not when you’re trying to stand out in your career.
Here’s how to start a success log:
- Write down every measurable result you achieve, like increasing efficiency, cutting costs, or boosting revenue.
- Save qualitative feedback, too. Did a client praise your work? Did a manager acknowledge your efforts in a meeting? Document it all.
- Block 10 minutes weekly to reflect on what went well and what you achieved.
Example: Instead of thinking, “I managed a project,” your success log might say, “I led a project that increased team productivity by 20%, saving 10 hours per week.”
Pro Tip: Keeping a success log not only helps you advocate for yourself—it also boosts your confidence by reminding you of the value you bring.
3. Position Your Contributions to Align with Goals
Let’s be honest: Not everything you do will resonate with leadership. That’s why it’s critical to frame your work in a way that aligns with your organization’s goals and priorities.
Here’s how:
- Pay attention to the language your leaders use when discussing goals. Mirror that language when you talk about your contributions.
- Highlight how your work solves problems or drives outcomes that matter to the company. When you connect your work to the company’s goals, it makes it easier for you to stand out in your career because people can clearly see how you’re making a difference.
Example: Instead of saying, “I designed a new training program,” say, “I developed a training program that improved employee onboarding efficiency, reducing the average time to productivity by 15%.”
Pro Tip: Think like a marketer. Position yourself as someone whose contributions directly solve your company’s biggest challenges.
4. Advocate Through Regular Updates
Stop waiting for your work to speak for itself—because it won’t. Leaders are busy, and if you don’t advocate for yourself, your contributions might go unnoticed.
Here’s how to start advocating:
- Schedule regular check-ins with your manager to share progress on key projects.
- After completing a major task or milestone, send a quick recap email highlighting what was achieved and how it impacts the team or organization.
- Use phrases like, “Here’s how this project aligns with our department’s goals…” to make your updates relevant.
Example: “This month, I improved our client response time by 30%, which helps us meet our customer satisfaction goals for the quarter.”
Pro Tip: Framing updates as “team wins” instead of “personal wins” can feel less intimidating and still showcase your value. But don’t forget to highlight your individual contributions to the “team wins” so you can stand out.
5. Communicate with Confidence
Here’s a myth I want to debunk right now: Talking about your achievements is not bragging—it’s stating facts. Confidence in communicating your value inspires trust and makes leaders more likely to see you as capable of handling bigger responsibilities.
Here’s how to do it:
- Practice describing your contributions in clear, concise statements.
- Use a mix of “I” and “we” language to acknowledge both your role and team collaboration.
- If you struggle with confidence, start small by sharing one win per week during team meetings or check-ins.
Example: “I created a streamlined workflow that reduced processing time by 25%, helping us meet our deadlines consistently.”
Pro Tip: Remember, confidence isn’t arrogance. It’s clarity. You’re simply sharing what you’ve done.
6. Track Your Growth and Reflect on Stewardship
It’s easy to get caught up in the day-to-day grind, but taking time to reflect on your progress can transform how you approach your career. Regular reflection helps you stay aligned with your goals and celebrate how far you’ve come.
Here’s how to do it:
- Set aside time quarterly to review your success log and identify major wins.
- Reflect on how your work aligns with your personal and professional goals.
- Use this time to pray, journal, or meditate, asking for clarity and direction in your next steps.
Example: By tracking your growth, you might realize that you’ve consistently improved client retention rates, which positions you well for a leadership role in client services.
Pro Tip: Reflection isn’t just about the past—it’s about planning for the future. Use what you’ve learned to refine your approach and stay motivated.
Final Thoughts: Take Action Today
Standing out in your career doesn’t happen by accident. It happens when you take intentional steps to communicate your value, advocate for yourself, and align your contributions with what matters most to your organization.
The IMPACT Framework is your roadmap to making that happen.
If you’re ready to take this process even further, I can help. In my one-on-one coaching program, Next Level Career, I’ll work with you to position yourself as the ideal candidate for higher-paying, higher-impact roles—all while staying true to who you are.
