The Visibility Factor: Break Through Your Fears, Stand in Your Own Power and Become the Authentic Leader You Were Meant to Be

by Susan M. Barber

For decades, people have believed that working hard will be enough to get promoted. While generally true at the entry levels of an organization where performance is an important measure of success, once a more senior level of responsibility is reached, working hard is no longer enough. To continue the journey and move up the ladder, leaders need to create personal visibility for themselves and their teams.This was the situation that Susan M. Barber found herself in about ten years ago. She was known as someone who would do what it takes to get the job done. While successful, she eventually reached a point in her career where that was no longer adequate. A pivotal feedback conversation with a mentor was the catalyst that changed everything. She had to shift the long-held belief that working hard was sufficient to have career success and find a new way. Creating visibility wasn’t something that was taught in any of the management classes she had taken as a new leader. She was on a path of discovery to learn what visibility meant in general, but more specifically how she could create it in an authentic way for herself.Barber created a process that helped her build visibility for herself and her team. As a coach now, when her clients are unable to see how they are hiding from their visibility, she uses that same process to help them unlock their potential and achieve success. She has broken down this process down into easy to follow steps.Working hard only takes you so far. The truth is you need the kind of visibility that allows people to see your value, capabilities and is authentic to who you are. The Visibility Factor is your guide to shape the visibility that you want for yourself and your career.

274 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 2, 2021

About the author

Susan M Barber is an Author, Podcast Host, Former Fortune 500 IT Director, turned Certified Executive Coach. She helps business leaders to play bigger, increase their visibility and shine a light on their leadership strengths so they can elevate their position in the workplace. She brings strong business knowledge to her coaching from her 25+ years of experience in Sales, Supply Chain and IT leadership roles at Kraft Heinz. As the author and podcast host of The Visibility Factor, she is creating opportunities to help leaders learn how to authentically show their value and be seen for their true talent.

Reviews

[Rosemary Allison · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a young professional who graduated college in 2024 I've been starting to read books related to professional development and the likes. A lot of them have felt unrelatable and gave an answer that felt so "aha" without ways to implement it. I felt the opposite reading this book. The RISE method is straightforward and easy to follow as an individual. I'm looking forward to trying it out myself and seeing what the results are!

[Sheri · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Visibility Factor is an empowering guide for aspiring leaders and existing leaders at all levels.

Susan's genuine vulnerability and willingness to share personal experiences makes the content relatable and impactful. By demonstrating how she navigated her fears and found her authentic voice, she inspires readers to do the same.

The book's greatest strength lies in its practical focus. Susan provides tactical, actionable insights and tools that readers can immediately apply to their own leadership journeys. This hands-on approach helps bridge the gap between theory and practice.

Overall, The Visibility Factor serves as both a motivational text and a practical handbook for those looking to break through their fears, embrace their true selves, and step into their full potential as leaders.

[Kathy Oneto · Rating 5 out of 5]

Getting work done isn’t the only thing that will lead to your success. You need to be visible. This book is packed full of ideas to help make sure you’re seen inside your organization and to do so with confidence. Sue Barber’s RISE framework is an easy-to-implement approach to help shift your mindset and to create your own visibility blueprint for career success. A must read whether you’re just starting out, looking to take the next step, or are in a leadership role.”