Managing Your Visibility in the Digital Age
by Laura Morgan Roberts, Ph.D.

In the digital age, you can easily increase your exposure to close friends and family, acquaintances, employers, and even celebrities.  You can increase your visibility through job-search websites, personal websites, video broadcasting, and social networking websites. As you immerse yourself into your virtual world, remember these fundamental principles for making the most of your visibility.

1.) Bring your BEST self to light. It's easy to get caught up with increasing your exposure, but don't lose sight of what is most important to reveal.  The first step in managing your visibility is to bring your life into alignment with your best-self. Be strategic about showcasing your strengths and talents in ways that help you to create value at work.  When you are at your best, people will begin to pay even more attention to your positive contributions, rather than spotlighting your shortcomings and inadequacies. 

2.) Never put something in writing unless you want the whole world to read it—especially on the internet. Do you really want the whole world to know how many drinks you had last night at the party, how bored you are at work or in class, how you are trying to sidestep your bills, or how disappointed you are with your ex? Your "friend" today may become your prospective employer tomorrow, so manage your personal disclosures with care. Email trails are easy to start and nearly impossible to stop, because the internet has an excellent memory.

3.) Less (impulsive self-expression) is more. Getting too much exposure can be more damaging than getting too little exposure. This is especially true when people are paying attention to your less flattering features. To avoid overexposure, speak with wisdom. People who are always “chattering” can lose their voice and influence, because listeners become overwhelmed or bored and start to tune out. If you have something meaningful, edifying and sincere to share, by all means shout it from the mountain top. But, pick those moments deliberately and carefully because sometimes, silence is golden.

Laura Morgan Roberts, Ph.D. is a business school professor, author, and architect of personal and professional alignment, who helps people to unlock the pathways for constructing, sustaining and restoring positive identities at work. Bring your best-self to light with Dr. Laura Morgan Roberts and R-PAQ Solutions, LLC. Visit www.lauramorganroberts.com for more information!

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