The Visibility Factor

216. The Career Shift Most High Performers Miss

216. The Career Shift Most High Performers Miss
Most high-performing leaders believe that doing great work will naturally lead to recognition and advancement. But the reality is performance alone isn’t enough. In this episode, we unpack a critical career shift that many capable leaders overlook: moving from execution to visibility, influence, and strategic impact.
If you’ve ever felt like you’re doing everything right, but still not being seen as ready for the next level, this conversation will challenge how you’re thinking about your time, your communication, and how others experience your value.
You’ll hear a powerful distinction between telling and showing, and why simply sharing information isn’t the same as positioning yourself as a strategic leader. The key is not doing more, it’s being more intentional about how your work is seen, understood, and used.
This episode is your reminder that visibility isn’t about being louder, it’s about being clearer, more strategic, and more aligned with how leaders at the next level think and act. If you’re ready to be seen differently, this is where that shift begins.
 
Key Takeaways
Performance alone is only a small part of career advancement, visibility and perception matter more than most realize
Leaders at the next level don’t just share information, they translate it into insights, impact, and decisions
Over-focusing on execution keeps you positioned as a doer, not a strategic leader
“Telling” (listing tasks or updates) is not the same as “showing” (framing value and impact)
Your time should shift from doing everything to influencing, communicating, and building relationships
Delegation is not just about efficiency, it’s about creating space for leadership-level work
If people don’t see how you think, they can’t see you as ready for more
Every meeting is an opportunity to shape perception and demonstrate leadership
Career growth requires intentional visibility, not just consistent performance
You have more control than you think in how you are seen and positioned
Thank you for listening to The Visibility Factor Podcast!   
Check out my website to order my books and view the  videos/resources for The Visibility Factor book and Your Journey to Visibility Workbook.
As always, I encourage you to reach out! You can email me at hello@susanmbarber.com.
You can also find me on social media everywhere –Facebook, LinkedIn, and of course on The Visibility Factor Podcast! I look forward to connecting with you!    
If you liked The Visibility Factor Podcast, I would be so grateful if you could subscribe and leave a review wherever you listen to podcasts! Choose one episode or something that was shared that made a difference for you and put it into the review! It helps the podcast get in front of more people who can learn how to be visible too!     

215. The Moment You Realize You’re Playing Small

215. The Moment You Realize You’re Playing Small
Imposter syndrome doesn’t always look like fear, it often shows up in subtle, quiet ways that keep high-performing leaders from fully stepping into their impact. In this episode, we unpack how “playing small” becomes the hidden barrier to visibility, influence, and growth.
If you’ve ever held back your ideas, waited until something felt perfect, or downplayed your contributions, even while succeeding on paper, this conversation will challenge how you think about confidence and what actually needs to shift. This isn’t about becoming louder. It’s about building self-trust and learning to show up from what you already know and bring.
 
What You’ll Learn in This Episode
Why impostor syndrome often shows up as subtle invisibility instead of obvious fear
How high performers unknowingly hold themselves back, even while succeeding
The internal dialogue that keeps leaders from speaking up
The critical “moment of awareness” that changes everything
Why confidence doesn’t come from time or experience, but from action
The real root issue: lack of self-trust (not lack of capability)
Simple, low-risk ways to start showing up more powerfully today
How small moments of action build lasting confidence and visibility
 
Key Takeaways
You can be successful on the outside and still play small on the inside
Holding back your voice is often driven by perceived risk—not reality
Missed moments in meetings are missed opportunities for visibility
Confidence is built through evidence, not overthinking
Self-trust is the foundation of influence
The goal isn’t to say more, it’s to say what matters
Thank you for listening to The Visibility Factor Podcast!   
Check out my website to order my books and view the  videos/resources for The Visibility Factor book and Your Journey to Visibility Workbook.
As always, I encourage you to reach out! You can email me at hello@susanmbarber.com.
You can also find me on social media everywhere –Facebook, LinkedIn, and of course on The Visibility Factor Podcast! I look forward to connecting with you!    
If you liked The Visibility Factor Podcast, I would be so grateful if you could subscribe and leave a review wherever you listen to podcasts! Choose one episode or something that was shared that made a difference for you and put it into the review! It helps the podcast get in front of more people who can learn how to be visible too!     

214. The Introvert Advantage

214. The Introvert Advantage
 
In this episode, Sue speaks directly to introverted leaders, those thoughtful, high-performing individuals doing meaningful work but not always getting the recognition they deserve.
If you’ve ever felt uncomfortable promoting yourself, avoided speaking up in meetings, or believed your work should “speak for itself,” this conversation reframes visibility in a way that feels authentic, strategic, and aligned with who you are.
This episode introduces three powerful shifts that help you communicate your value more effectively without changing your personality or becoming someone you’re not.
 
In this episode:
The three shifts that introverts need to make
Stop underselling yourself—start translating your value
Visibility isn’t self-promotion—it’s strategic communication
Prepare before you need it
You don’t need to be louder to be more visible
Your value is already there—it just needs to be translated
Strategic communication creates influence, not volume
Preparation builds confidence faster than personality ever will
Introversion is not a limitation—it’s a leadership advantage
 
Thank you for listening to The Visibility Factor Podcast!   
Check out my website to order my books and view the  videos/resources for The Visibility Factor book and Your Journey to Visibility Workbook.
As always, I encourage you to reach out! You can email me at hello@susanmbarber.com.
You can also find me on social media everywhere –Facebook, LinkedIn, and of course on The Visibility Factor Podcast! I look forward to connecting with you!    
If you liked The Visibility Factor Podcast, I would be so grateful if you could subscribe and leave a review wherever you listen to podcasts! Choose one episode or something that was shared that made a difference for you and put it into the review! It helps the podcast get in front of more people who can learn how to be visible too!     
 

213. High Agency Humans: Owning Your Outcomes (with Vickie Lanthier)

213. High Agency Humans: Owning Your Outcomes (with Vickie Lanthier)
 
In this episode, I sit down with Vickie Lanthier, author of High Agency Human, to explore what it really means to navigate adversity, make courageous decisions, and intentionally shape your life and career. From a life-altering military accident to building a philosophy of resilience and preparedness, Vickie shares powerful insights on how your response—not your circumstances—determines your outcomes. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed, stuck, or like life is happening to you, this conversation will challenge how you think—and show you a more powerful path forward. Vickie Lanthier is a military veteran, registered nurse, and author of High Agency Human. She focuses on helping individuals build resilience, increase personal agency, and prepare for life’s uncertainties through practical, actionable strategies.
In this episode:
The defining moment that shaped Vickie’s approach to adversity
What “high agency” really means—and why it matters now more than ever
The difference between living reactively vs. leading your life intentionally
Why your responses, not your circumstances drive your outcomes
How to break out of the “cages” of comparison and compliance
The concept of radical reduction and why doing less creates more impact
How overconsumption (time, energy, information) is limiting your growth
Practical ways to reduce overwhelm and reclaim focus
The importance of buffers (financial, health, planning, skills) to prepare for uncertainty
Why preparation is one of the most underrated leadership advantages
 
The books that Vickie recommends are:  The Other Side of Change by Maya Shankar and Stimulated Mind by Dr Tommy Wood
Get the book: High Agency Human by Vickie Lanthier
Learn more: highagencyhuman.com
Thank you for listening to The Visibility Factor Podcast!   
Check out my website to order my books and view the  videos/resources for The Visibility Factor book and Your Journey to Visibility Workbook.
As always, I encourage you to reach out! You can email me at hello@susanmbarber.com.
You can also find me on social media everywhere –Facebook, LinkedIn, and of course on The Visibility Factor Podcast! I look forward to connecting with you!    
If you liked The Visibility Factor Podcast, I would be so grateful if you could subscribe and leave a review wherever you listen to podcasts! Choose one episode or something that was shared that made a difference for you and put it into the review! It helps the podcast get in front of more people who can learn how to be visible too!     
 

212. Achieve Your Goals Faster (with Brittany Canaski)

212. Achieve Your Goals Faster (with Brittany Canaski)
In this episode, Brittany Canaski shares insights on goal setting, overcoming burnout, and building confidence for women in corporate America. She is a highly rated leadership coach and trainer who empowers leaders with the skills and confidence they need to accelerate their goals and improve their performance. We discuss her frameworks and practical tips to enhance visibility, manage expectations, and achieve your goals effectively.
In this episode:
The Transition from Corporate to Entrepreneurship
Challenges in Goal Setting and Personal Development
Understanding Internal vs. External Motivations
Real-Life Examples of Goal Setting Success
The Evolution of Goal Setting
Understanding Performance Personas
Overcoming Motivation Challenges
Navigating Leadership as Women
The book that Brittany recommends is: Serial Fixer by Leah Marone
Website: https://www.hellovelocity.co/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brittany-canaski/
Instagram: HelloVelocityCo
 
Thank you for listening to The Visibility Factor Podcast!   
Check out my website to order my books and view the  videos/resources for The Visibility Factor book and Your Journey to Visibility Workbook.
As always, I encourage you to reach out! You can email me at hello@susanmbarber.com.
You can also find me on social media everywhere –Facebook, LinkedIn, and of course on The Visibility Factor Podcast! I look forward to connecting with you!    
  If you liked The Visibility Factor Podcast, I would be so grateful if you could subscribe and leave a review wherever you listen to podcasts! Choose one episode or something that was shared that made a difference for you and put it into the review! It helps the podcast get in front of more people who can learn how to be visible too!     

211.The Visibility Gap: How High Performers Can Elevate Their Impact

211. The Visibility Gap: How High Performers Can Elevate Their Impact
This episode of The Visibility Factor podcast explores the crucial shift from doing the work to being known for the work, highlighting how high performers can elevate their visibility and influence within organizations. Learn practical strategies to move from execution to impact and unlock leadership potential.
In this episode:
The difference between doing the work and being known for the work
The concept of the visibility gap and how to bridge it
Shifting from task completion to strategic influence
How to communicate impact effectively
Developing a leadership mindset that commands visibility
Three shifts to make to help you move from being the person who is doing the work to being known for the work.
 
Thank you for listening to The Visibility Factor Podcast!   
Check out my website to order my books and view the  videos/resources for The Visibility Factor book and Your Journey to Visibility Workbook.
As always, I encourage you to reach out! You can email me at hello@susanmbarber.com.
You can also find me on social media everywhere –Facebook, LinkedIn, and of course on The Visibility Factor Podcast! I look forward to connecting with you!    
    
If you liked The Visibility Factor Podcast, I would be so grateful if you could subscribe and leave a review wherever you listen to podcasts! Choose one episode or something that was shared that made a difference for you and put it into the review! It helps the podcast get in front of more people who can learn how to be visible too!     
 
leadership, visibility, influence, career growth, professional development

210. The Power of Visual Thinking in Leadership (with Todd Cherches)

210. The Power of Visual Thinking in Leadership (with Todd Cherches)
 
Todd Cherches is the CEO and cofounder of BigBlueGumball, a NYC-based management consulting firm specializing in leadership development and executive coaching. He is a member of Marshall Goldsmith’s “MG 100 Coaches”; a three-time award-winning Adjunct Professor of leadership at NYU; a Lecturer on leadership at Columbia University; a TEDx speaker; and the author of the groundbreaking book, VisuaLeadership: Leveraging the Power of Visual Thinking in Leadership and in Life."
In this episode:
Todd's Career Journey and Early Influences
The China Project: A Life-Changing Experience
Overcoming Introversion: The Path to Teaching
Building Confidence Through Support and Preparation
The Importance of Visibility and Communication
Developing Leadership Content and Insights
The Concept Behind 'Visual Leadership'
Empowering Conversations Through Metaphors
Understanding Different Types of Power
Resilience and Bouncing Back from Setbacks
Navigating Leadership and Management
The Importance of Visibility in Leadership
Servant Leadership and Making Others Shine
The Power of a Learning Mindset
 
The Book that Todd recommends The Power Learning by Lillian Ajayi-Ore
Website: www.toddcherches.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/toddcherches/
Order Todd’s VisuaLeadership Book:
https://www.amazon.com/VisuaLeadership-Leveraging-Visual-Thinking-Leadership/dp/1642933376/
 
Link to Order Your Journey to Visibility Workbook
Thank you for listening to The Visibility Factor Podcast!   
Check out my website to order my book and view the  videos/resources for The Visibility Factor book and Your Journey to Visibility Workbook.
As always, I encourage you to reach out! You can email me at hello@susanmbarber.com.
You can also find me on social media everywhere –Facebook, LinkedIn, and of course on The Visibility Factor Podcast! I look forward to connecting with you!    
   
If you liked The Visibility Factor Podcast, I would be so grateful if you could subscribe and leave a review wherever you listen to podcasts! It helps the podcast get in front of more people who can learn how to be visible too!     
 

209. Unlocking Content Visibility (with Sandie Markle)

209. Unlocking Content Visibility (with Sandie Markle)
 
Sandie Markle is the founder and CEO of Blueberri, a boutique consulting firm specializing in content engineering and structured discoverability for food tech companies and digital creators. With over a decade of experience in content strategy and digital operations, she helps leaders transform chaotic content workflows into scalable systems built for discoverability, reuse, and revenue. She is the author of the upcoming book that introduces the COSE™ framework, a practical approach to designing visibility through structure instead of constant output. Sandie speaks at industry conferences and works with teams who want their work to be seen, trusted, and built to last.
In this episode:
Introduction to Content Strategy and Visibility
Sandie’s Journey to Content Engineering
The COSE 4-Step Framework
Real-World Application of the COSE Framework
Decoding Technology and AI for Creators
Why Sandie is Writing Her Book Right Now
Navigating the Content Creation Landscape
Sandie Shares Her Passion for Professional Development
Visibility and Discoverability in the Digital Age
The Book that Sandie recommends Write a Must Read by AJ Harper
https://www.instagram.com/blueberribiz/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/sandiemarkle/
https://blueberripi.blueberri.co/
 
Link to Order Your Journey to Visibility Workbook
Thank you for listening to The Visibility Factor Podcast!   
Check out my website to order my book and view the  videos/resources for The Visibility Factor book and Your Journey to Visibility Workbook.
As always, I encourage you to reach out! You can email me at hello@susanmbarber.com.
You can also find me on social media everywhere –Facebook, LinkedIn, and of course on The Visibility Factor Podcast! I look forward to connecting with you!    
 
    
If you liked The Visibility Factor Podcast, I would be so grateful if you could subscribe and leave a review wherever you listen to podcasts! It helps the podcast get in front of more people who can learn how to be visible too!     
 

208. Play Bigger at Work

208. Play Bigger at Work
If you've ever felt unsure about your role or stuck in a cycle of doubt, this episode of The Visibility Factor offers a practical and empowering perspective: treat your work environment as a playground. This simple reframing can help you experiment, be bolder, and regain your confidence, all while showing up more fully in your career.
In this episode:
How doubt triggers smallness and disengagement, and how to shift out of it
The concept of the workplace as a playground for safe experimentation
Practical ways to implement the playground mindset in your career
Success stories of clients using this mindset to elevate their roles
The importance of mindset shifts for long-term growth and visibility
Actionable ideas from chapter six of the Visibility Factor book
How to measure progress and adjust your playground strategies
The role of confidence and boldness in career advancement
Ways to connect your mindset to real-world opportunities
The Visibility Factor (check chapter six for actionable ideas)
Link to Order Your Journey to Visibility Workbook
Thank you for listening to The Visibility Factor Podcast!   
Check out my website to order my book and view the  videos/resources for The Visibility Factor book and Your Journey to Visibility Workbook.
As always, I encourage you to reach out! You can email me at hello@susanmbarber.com.
You can also find me on social media everywhere –Facebook, LinkedIn, and of course on The Visibility Factor Podcast! I look forward to connecting with you!    
    
If you liked The Visibility Factor Podcast, I would be so grateful if you could subscribe and leave a review wherever you listen to podcasts! It helps the podcast get in front of more people who can learn how to be visible too!     
 

207. Invisible Divides in the Workplace (with Ivonne Furneaux)

207. Invisible Divides in the Workplace (with Ivonne Furneaux)
 
In this episode of The Visibility Factor podcast, Susan’s guest is Ivonne Furneaux. She is a keynote speaker, workplace strategist and founder of emPower Up Consulting, where she helps organizations lead through change and close the invisible gaps that undermine trust, engagement and performance. With more than 20 years of experience inside complex, global organizations—including Target, UnitedHealth Group, WeightWatchers, OfficeMax and Anywhere Real Estate—Ivonne has led enterprise communications, employee experience, culture, change and Diversity, Equity & Inclusion during periods of transformation, uncertainty and growth. Grounded in both lived experience and formal training, Ivonne brings a human-centered approach to culture and communication. Using her proprietary “Ghost Gaps” concept and 4I Framework, she equips leaders and employees alike with actionable strategies to build more connected, engaged workplaces and careers.
Ivonne Furneaux has a diverse background in corporate communications and DEI.
The concept of 'ghost gaps' highlights invisible divides in the workplace.
Workplace identity significantly impacts employee engagement and experience.
Visibility in the workplace is crucial for connection and engagement.
Organizational culture is shaped by the actions of all employees, not just leadership.
The 4I framework can help organizations address ghost gaps effectively.
Earning buy-in for change requires appealing to both hearts and minds.
Sponsorship is more impactful than mentorship for career advancement.
Transparency in communication builds trust within organizations.
Investing in employees at all levels fosters loyalty and engagement.
The book that Ivonne recommends is Fantasticland by Mike Bockoven
Article that Ivonne wrote: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/invisible-workplace-divides-sabotaging-employee-ivonne-furneaux-qhkhc
Follow Ivonne on social media:
Website: https://ivonnefurneaux.com  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ivonnefurneaux/
YouTube: @IvonneFurneaux  Instagram: @ivonneinreallife
Link to Order Your Journey to Visibility Workbook
Thank you for listening to The Visibility Factor Podcast!   
Check out my website to order my book and view the  videos/resources for The Visibility Factor book and Your Journey to Visibility Workbook.
As always, I encourage you to reach out! You can email me at hello@susanmbarber.com.
You can also find me on social media everywhere –Facebook, LinkedIn, and of course on The Visibility Factor Podcast! I look forward to connecting with you!    
    
If you liked The Visibility Factor Podcast, I would be so grateful if you could subscribe and leave a review wherever you listen to podcasts! It helps the podcast get in front of more people who can learn how to be visible too!