Your Work Won’t Speak for Itself in a Hybrid World

In a hybrid or remote-first work environment, doing great work isn’t enough.

Gone are the days when simply checking all the boxes and quietly meeting deadlines would earn you recognition or promotion. In the modern workplace, visibility, initiative, and influence are no longer “nice to haves”—they’re essential career tools. And according to former Google executive Jenny Wood, author of Wild Courage, the biggest lie you’ve ever been told in your career is this:

“Your work will speak for itself.”

Spoiler: It won’t.
But you can learn to speak for it.

Visibility at Work Is No Longer Accidental

The shift to hybrid and remote work has broken many of the old visibility mechanisms. Casual hallway chats, post-meeting debriefs, or impromptu brainstorming over lunch have all but vanished in many teams. And with them, the automatic assumption that people "see" your contributions.

This has led to what researchers call proximity bias – the subconscious tendency to value the people we see more often as more productive or valuable. It's the workplace version of "out of sight, out of mind."

And it cuts both ways: managers must shift from measuring presence to measuring outcomes. Employees, in turn, need to stop relying on passive activity and start actively showcasing their impact.

The Traits You Were Told to Hide? They’re Your Superpowers Now

Wood’s Wild Courage reframes traits like being “nosy,” “bossy,” or “shameless” not as flaws, but as strategic strengths, especially in today’s remote and distributed teams.

Being “nosy” becomes curiosity and connection.
Being “bossy” becomes leadership and initiative.
Being “shameless” becomes confidence in your impact.

These are survival skills in a workplace where the default mode is often invisible. Wood argues that courage isn't a personality trait—it's a skill. And if you're going to thrive in a system where recognition isn’t automatic, you’ll need to build that skill intentionally.

Try the Shameless Monday Email

One of Wood’s boldest yet simplest tactics is the “Shameless Monday Email”—a weekly note to your manager sharing two things you're proud of and two things you're working on. It takes five minutes. It feels awkward at first. But it’s a lightweight, powerful habit to ensure your wins don’t go unnoticed in a world of Zoom calls and Slack messages.

Because your manager doesn’t always know what you’re working on. And in a sea of remote work, they shouldn’t have to guess.

Stop Saying Yes to Work That Doesn’t Move You Forward

Wood also introduces the concept of “NAP” work—Not Actually Promotable. These are the behind-the-scenes, helpful-but-hidden tasks that don’t lead to recognition or advancement: taking notes, planning the team party, organizing offsites.

If you’re always taking on these tasks, you may be viewed as reliable—but not as strategic. Or promotable.

As Wood puts it:
“Say yes to the big and no to the small.”

It’s not selfish. It’s smart. Being selective with your time doesn’t make you difficult—it makes you focused.

Want High-Impact Work? Get Nosy

So how do you actually get assigned to the big, high-visibility projects?

Wood’s answer: be nosy.

Not in the gossipy way—but in the curious, engaged way. Ask questions. Get involved. Show you care about the business and your team. The best opportunities rarely come from a job board. They come from conversations, from relationships, from people who know what you're capable of.

If You’re On the Fence—Go For It

Finally, don’t wait for permission. Wood reframes being “reckless” as being action-oriented. The pace of work today favors those who try, test, experiment, and iterate—not those who sit back and wait for direction.

And you don’t need a title to lead. In today’s flatter rganizations, leadership is a mindset, not a role. Whether you’re launching a project, mentoring a teammate, or voicing a bold idea, being “bossy” just means you care enough to guide.

Show Up, Speak Up

The rules of the workplace have changed. And no, your work won’t speak for itself. But you can speak for it—clearly, proudly, and courageously.

At The Bridger Group, we work with professionals and teams who know that today’s success isn’t about staying in your lane—it’s about standing out for the right reasons. Whether you’re building your career or leading a team, the future belongs to those who are bold enough to be seen.

Looking for your next bold move? Let’s talk.  

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