July 30, 2025

Not Being Seen as a Leader? Shift These 5 Things

Hello Reader

Welcome to Level Up Weekly newsletter, where I leverage 19 years in Stanford tech to help emerging leaders think strategically, build influence, and execute with confidence - so you’re seen, heard and valued where it matters most.

Today at a glance:

Why you’re not getting promoted—even though you’re totally ready.

​You’re working hard.

You’re taking on more.

But you’re still invisible when it’s time for that next step.

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I see this all the time with mid-level leaders. You feel stuck—even though you know you’re doing good work.

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Here’s the truth:

It’s not about how much you do.

It’s about how you’re seen.

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If you’re only known as the person who gets things done, not the person shaping what gets done, you get overlooked every time.
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So—how do you change that?

You're not behind. You're just not being positioned.

First: Get super clear on what senior leaders actually value right now.

What are their top 3 priorities? Maybe it’s growth, maybe it’s risk, maybe it’s a big shift in strategy. If you don’t know these, you’re missing the target, no matter your effort.

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Second: Look at your weekly work.

How much of it is mission-critical to what those leaders care about? How much is invisible, stuck in the details? If the best work you do is hidden, you’ll stay hidden too.

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Third: Shift from doing everything to doing the right things.

What’s the 20% of your role that creates 80% of the value? Let go of the rest—even if you’re great at it. Senior leaders notice leverage, not hustle.

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Fourth: Decide what you want to be known for.

What's the unique lens or skill you want attached to your name? People need a reason to remember you that goes beyond “hard worker.”

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Fifth: Build a simple 90-day plan.

Pick 1–2 high-visibility projects. Strategic check-ins with key leaders. Always talk about your results in terms of business impact, not just effort.

Runway for a New Perception

Here’s a quick way to check your alignment today:

• What are my leaders most obsessed with right now?
• What % of my work speaks directly to that?
• What could I stop doing, so I can shift closer to strategic work?

You don’t need more hours in the day. You just need better alignment and visibility.

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Bottom line:

You’re not stuck because you’re not good enough.

You’re stuck because you’re not being seen the way you want.
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Promotions aren’t about working harder.

Promotions are about positioning.

They’re about being in the right conversations, showing up in the right rooms, and making your value unmistakable.

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You already have what it takes.

Now it’s about being intentional so others see it too.

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Start acting like a leader now—and see how fast the narrative shifts.

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