Join our Waitlist for Expert Advice!

Don't Sit Around and Wait to Be Noticed — Follow These 4 Ways to Be a Standout in Business Becoming a star in the business world isn't complicated. A few simple strategies can put you in the spotlight.

By Nancy Solari Edited by Micah Zimmerman

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

Have you ever felt stuck at the same level for too long in your company? Do you feel your talents are wasted in your current position? Here are four ways to show the top brass what you're made of and get the attention you need to move up in the business world.

Related: 9 Power Moves That Will Finally Allow You to Master Your Business Game Plan

1. Show that you understand you are part of a team

The secret sauce of getting noticed and promoted is simple: see yourself as part of a team and always be ready to give the team what they need. This begins with showing up. From your first day on the job, people learn whether they can count on you. Once you've completed your training, take the initiative. Participate, volunteer and speak up. Raise your hand. Sign up.

Does your company have after-hours socials or corporate events outside of work? Go or volunteer to help set up. If your company doesn't promote social mixing, volunteer to head the committee. The more you are counted on and relied upon, the more your name will come up.

Related: 5 Behaviors That Pretty Much Guarantee You Will Never Be Promoted

2. Be the first to do something

When building my brand, I intentionally looked for what I could be "first" at. Explorers look for ways to raise the bar, asking themselves, "What mountain hasn't been scaled?" I soon realized a blind TV host hadn't been done. So, I filmed a televised version of my radio show. There were logistics problems with my vision we had to solve. I can see contrasts, for example, light versus darkness, but not colors. We used three cameras on set, each with red lights I couldn't see. The question became, "How will Nancy know which camera to look at?" We decided to use earpieces so the director could coach me to look in the right direction.

A YouTube viewer pointed out that I looked up instead of into the eyes of the viewing audience. I wasn't hitting the mark. After researching available technology, I ordered a ring light, a white light surrounding the camera. Problem solved.

This hack didn't solve the teleprompter problem. I had to introduce guests. I decided to do heartfelt, spontaneous introductions based on pre-production interviews. Besides nailing a first, I learned to conquer a fear I'd always had, destroying the notion that my vision loss would keep me out of television.

You might become the first person from your department to make a presentation to the executives. You could suggest ways to streamline a process that proves difficult for customers or employees in your organization — and impress the higher-ups.

Related: Why Embracing Change is the Best Catalyst for Growth

3. Learn how to talk about what you do

When I was in the real estate business, I attended a seminar where we learned to paint a picture and tell a story every time we were asked the basic question, "What do you do?" I have to admit I usually told people I sold real estate. The speaker challenged us to use language to illustrate the mission of our lives. His sample response was, "People come to me with dreams of having a house of their own; they're usually dealing with financial stress or credit problems. I specialize in helping first-time homebuyers."

One way to get noticed is to change your job title internally to match the service you provide or your personal mission while on the job. Your title might be "Expeditor," but you could tell people, "I make sure everyone at headquarters has what they need." It's never too early or too late to prepare some brief but effective stories about yourself, revealing your passion and experience. You may think you don't have these stories, but you do. When I opened my real estate business, I was losing my vision. I often arrived hours before a showing to memorize the house's layout. I have funny stories about my clients hearing the bang of my head against a wall or the sound of me rolling down the stairs when I forgot about the sunken living room. Self-deprecation makes people feel comfortable. It's also a great way to get noticed for the right reasons.

Related: 7 Reasons to Take Pride in Your Work or Go Do Something Else

4. Have simple, memorable signature branding that works

Icons have iconic branding. It was a no-brainer for Michael Jordan to endorse a sub-brand of shoes. Air Jordans looked as though they would send anyone flying toward the basketball goal in style. Garth Brooks wore a large cowboy hat. Branding needs to be simple and easily recognizable. You can also have a jingle or mantra, something like Greyhound's "Leave the driving to us" or "Nationwide is on your side."

Use easy abbreviations (IBM, AT&T) that become iconic over time, create a story for each letter, or convey a message by spelling something with the letters, such as the company name of the voice accessibility technology I use. "JAWS" stands for "Job Access With Speech," illustrating the software using its virtual jaws to speak to and for me.

It's never too late to create your brand or reinvent it. Remember to have fun with the process of syncing your messaging and style to make it your own.

Getting noticed requires being comfortable in your own skin, getting involved with your company, reflecting on your true mission, and showing you care about how business is done. It happens when you are willing to fill the gaps and take the initiative. When you make people feel comfortable, and you put the needs of others before your own, you will become a stand-out in business, moving forward with confidence toward ever-greater successes.

Nancy Solari

Entrepreneur Leadership Network® Contributor

CEO of Living Full Out

Nancy Solari is an accomplished CEO, TV and radio host, business and life coach, writer and motivational speaker. As host of Nonprofit MVP and the national Living Full Out Radio Show, she shares her tools for success with audiences and organizations all around the country.

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Business News

You Have One Month Left to Buy a House, According to Barbara Corcoran. Here's Why.

"If you are planning on waiting a year and seeing where interest rates go, you are out of your mind," Corcoran said.

Franchise

The McRib Is Back, But Only at Select McDonald's — Here's Where to Find It

This scarcity is nothing new. In 2022, McDonald's announced a "Farewell Tour" for the McRib, suggesting that it might be the last time customers could get their hands on it.

Business News

These 3 Side Hustles Make the Most Money While Working Fewer Hours, According to a New Survey

The survey also found that having a side hustle doubled as a path to becoming more employable.

Side Hustle

I Made $14,000 in 1 Week With a Spontaneous Halloween Costume Side Hustle — Here's How

Sabba Keynejad was in art school when he started to refine his entrepreneurial skills.

Business News

This Is the Goal-Setting Method Shohei Ohtani Learned in High School That Helped Get Him to the World Series

The MLB superstar's success did not come as a surprise to him. He had a plan.

Business News

This New Restaurant Is Banking on One Dish — Because It's the Only Entrée on the Menu

The new hotspot is gaining buzz on social media for its innovative yet super simple concept.