The Visibility Factor

Susan M. Barber
  • 0.0 (0)
  • Careers
  • Updated weekly

Welcome to the Visibility Factor podcast with Susan M. Barber – a show where business leaders and anyone seeking ways to raise their visibility can come to learn how to take action in their own authentic way.

  1. 8 hr ago

    228. Closing the Leadership Perception Gap

    228. Closing the Leadership Perception Gap   Most high-performing leaders believe that exceptional work will naturally lead to recognition and promotion. Unfortunately, organizations don't make leadership decisions using perfect information. Executives make decisions based on what they've observed, what they've heard from trusted leaders, and the evidence available to them. If your leadership isn't visible, your value may never become part of that evidence. In this episode, Sue explains why performance and perception are not the same thing, introduces the idea of the Leadership Perception Gap, and shares practical ways to make your leadership easier for decision-makers to recognize. If you've ever wondered why someone less capable seemed to get the opportunity you wanted, this conversation may completely change how you think about leadership visibility.   Key Takeaways Performance earns credibility. Readiness earns promotion. Strategic visibility helps decision-makers recognize your readiness. Leadership communication is not self-promotion. Organizations can only evaluate the information they have. Creating value drives performance. Communicating value creates opportunity.Top of FormBottom of Form   Connect with Susan M. Barber If this episode resonated with you, share it with another leader navigating change inside their organization. You can also connect with Susan M. Barber for coaching, leadership development, speaking engagements, and visibility strategy work focused on helping leaders become more influential, trusted, and impactful inside organizations. https://susanmbarber.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/susanbarbercoaching/

  2. 9 Jul

    227. Why Great Leaders Are Still Being Overlooked

    227. Why Great Leaders Are Still Being Overlooked Many talented leaders assume that exceptional performance naturally leads to promotions and bigger opportunities. Unfortunately, that's rarely how leadership decisions are made. In this episode, Sue Barber explores why so many capable leaders continue to be overlooked—not because they lack talent, but because decision-makers don't always see the full picture of their leadership potential. Sue explains why visibility isn't about self-promotion or being the loudest voice in the room. Instead, it's about making your business impact, strategic thinking, and leadership capabilities visible in ways that build confidence with those making promotion and succession decisions. Whether you're working toward your next role or helping develop future leaders within your organization, this episode offers practical ways to bridge the gap between doing great work and being recognized for it.   Key Takeaways High performance alone doesn't automatically create career opportunities. Decision-makers promote leaders they know, understand, and trust. Visibility is about communicating business impact—not self-promotion. Managers cannot be solely responsible for advocating for every employee. Leaders need to intentionally demonstrate strategic thinking, influence, and cross-functional impact. Organizations often overlook capable leaders because they don't see their full potential. Visibility should be viewed as a leadership competency that can be developed. Preparing for your next role starts long before the opportunity appears. Connect with Susan M. Barber If this episode resonated with you, share it with another leader navigating change inside their organization. You can also connect with Susan M. Barber for coaching, leadership development, speaking engagements, and visibility strategy work focused on helping leaders become more influential, trusted, and impactful inside organizations. https://susanmbarber.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/susanbarbercoaching/

  3. 2 Jul

    226. Your Visibility Matters Most During Change

    226. Your Visibility Matters Most During Change   Change is inevitable. Losing your team's trust doesn't have to be. In this episode, Sue Barber shares practical leadership strategies for guiding teams through organizational change while maintaining trust, engagement, and momentum. Drawing from her own experience leading through large-scale corporate transformations, she explains why employees don't resist change itself, they resist uncertainty. Sue discusses how transparency, consistent communication, visible leadership, and empathy help teams move through the emotional change curve more quickly. She also shares actionable ways leaders can reduce anxiety, answer difficult questions honestly, and create an environment where people feel informed, supported, and ready to move forward. Whether your organization is implementing new technology, restructuring teams, introducing AI, or navigating an acquisition, this episode offers practical leadership guidance you can apply immediately.   Key Takeaways Employees are often reacting to uncertainty more than the change itself. Trust is built through honest, consistent communication—not having all the answers. Silence creates anxiety and allows people to fill information gaps with assumptions. Over-communicating is usually better than under-communicating during periods of change. Explaining the "why" behind decisions increases understanding and buy-in. Leaders must manage their own emotions before effectively leading others. Visibility becomes even more important during organizational change. Different team members will move through change at different speeds. Involving employees in the change process increases commitment and engagement. Leadership isn't about certainty—it's about providing clarity, consistency, and confidence.   Connect with Susan M. Barber If this episode resonated with you, share it with another leader navigating change inside their organization. You can also connect with Susan M. Barber for coaching, leadership development, speaking engagements, and visibility strategy work focused on helping leaders become more influential, trusted, and impactful inside organizations. https://susanmbarber.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/susanbarbercoaching/

  4. 25 Jun

    225. Great Leaders Push People Before They're Ready

    225. Great Leaders Push People Before They're Ready   One of the most common mistakes leaders make is waiting until someone feels "ready" before giving them a bigger opportunity. In this episode, Sue challenges that thinking and explores why growth often happens because of uncomfortable opportunities—not after them. Drawing from her own leadership experiences and leadership development research, she explains why stretch assignments, executive exposure, and visibility opportunities are some of the most powerful tools leaders have for developing future leaders. Sue shares practical ways leaders can help team members build confidence through action, gain valuable experience, and develop the skills needed to thrive in today's constantly changing business environment. She also discusses why confidence is often the result of taking action rather than the prerequisite for it. If you want to create stronger leaders, build a deeper leadership bench, and help your team realize their full potential, this episode offers actionable strategies you can begin using immediately   Key Takeaways Most people never feel completely ready for their next leadership opportunity. Growth often happens because of challenging experiences, not before them. Leadership development is driven more by experience than formal training. Stretch assignments accelerate learning, adaptability, and confidence. Visibility opportunities help employees build influence, credibility, and leadership presence. Confidence is typically the result of action, not the prerequisite for it. Leaders who overprotect high-potential employees may unintentionally limit their growth. Executive exposure provides valuable opportunities to learn, observe, and develop. Coaching and feedback after stretch opportunities help reinforce learning. Great leaders don't just evaluate readiness—they actively develop it. Sometimes the most important thing a leader can do is believe in someone's potential before they believe in it themselves.   Connect with Susan M. Barber If this episode resonated with you, share it with another leader navigating change inside their organization. You can also connect with Susan M. Barber for coaching, leadership development, speaking engagements, and visibility strategy work focused on helping leaders become more influential, trusted, and impactful inside organizations. https://susanmbarber.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/susanbarbercoaching/

  5. 18 Jun

    224. Becoming the Leader You Want to Be

    224. Becoming the Leader You Want to Be   What does it really mean to become the leader you want to be? Many leaders step into leadership roles believing they need to have all the answers, solve every problem, and stay involved in every detail. In this episode, Sue challenges those assumptions and shares the leadership lessons she learned throughout her own journey. Drawing from her experience leading teams and large-scale programs, Sue explores the mindset shifts that help leaders move from individual contributor to influential leader. She discusses how limiting beliefs, self-doubt, and comparison can keep leaders playing small, while self-trust, advocacy, and stepping into uncomfortable moments can accelerate growth and visibility. If you've ever questioned whether you're ready for greater leadership responsibility or struggled to let go of doing everything yourself, this episode offers practical insights to help you lead with more confidence and clarity.   Key Takeaways Leadership Doesn't Require Perfection Challenge the Limiting Beliefs Holding You Back Advocate for Yourself and Your Team Leadership Moments Often Arrive Unexpectedly Trust Yourself More Than You Think Stop Managing Every Detail Leadership Is an Ongoing Evolution Sometimes Leadership Means Stepping Up Before Anyone Asks You to The Leader You Want to Become Starts With the Choices You Make Today Connect with Susan M. Barber If this episode resonated with you, share it with another leader navigating change inside their organization. You can also connect with Susan M. Barber for coaching, leadership development, speaking engagements, and visibility strategy work focused on helping leaders become more influential, trusted, and impactful inside organizations. https://susanmbarber.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/susanbarbercoaching/

  6. 11 Jun

    223. You Can't Be What You Don't See (with Amy Henningfield)

    223. You Can't Be What You Don't See (with Amy Henningfield)   In this inspiring episode of The Visibility Factor Podcast, Susan sits down with Amy Henningfield, Director of Workforce Development at Superior Construction, to discuss her remarkable career journey from single mother and entry-level clerk to influential leader in the construction industry. Amy shares how she unexpectedly found her passion in construction, the lessons she's learned navigating a traditionally male-dominated field, and why helping women become more visible and confident has become a central part of her mission. Together, Sue and Amy explore the importance of representation, mentorship, leadership development, and creating environments where women feel supported, empowered, and ready to grow.   Key Takeaways How Amy transitioned from an entry-level role to Director of Workforce Development Why visibility matters, especially in male-dominated industries The role mentorship and sponsorship play in career growth How Superior Women in Construction (SWIC) was created and the impact it's making Why representation matters: "You can't be what you don't see" How organizations can better support women in leadership development The importance of creating safe environments for people to speak up and grow Strategies for overcoming self-doubt and impostor syndrome Why leaders should stop waiting until they feel "ready" How workforce development is shaping the future of the construction industry   Book Recommendations from Amy Becoming by Michelle Obama and Let Them by Mel Robbins   Connect with Amy Henningfield Amy Henningfield - LinkedIn https://www.amyhenningfield.com/ https://www.superiorconstruction.com/our-company/superior-women-in-construction-swic/   Connect with Susan M. Barber If this episode resonated with you, share it with another leader navigating change inside their organization. You can also connect with Susan M. Barber for coaching, leadership development, speaking engagements, and visibility strategy work focused on helping leaders become more influential, trusted, and impactful inside organizations. https://susanmbarber.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/susanbarbercoaching/

  7. 4 Jun

    222. The Power of a Leadership Reset

    222. The Power of a Leadership Reset   What happens when a team loses momentum, motivation fades, or old ways of working no longer serve the business? In this episode, Sue shares two real-world coaching scenarios that highlight the importance of recognizing when a team needs a reset. Whether you're leading a team through a long-term initiative that's lost energy or navigating a leadership transition that requires new ways of working, a thoughtful reset can create clarity, trust, collaboration, and renewed commitment. Sue explores practical ways leaders can bring teams back together, reconnect people to purpose, and create an environment where trust, curiosity, and shared success can thrive.   Episode Highlights Why team motivation often fades over time—and how leaders can restore it The critical role purpose and "why" play in sustaining engagement How leadership transitions create opportunities to redefine team culture Why breaking down silos leads to stronger collaboration and better decision-making The value of using Start, Stop, Continue conversations to reset team dynamics How vulnerability helps leaders build trust during periods of change Why great leaders operate in the "gray" instead of assuming they have all the answers How standing for each other's success creates stronger leadership teams Ways to recognize when your team is stuck and needs a reset conversation How team resets can become powerful visibility and leadership opportunities   Connect with Susan M. Barber If this episode resonated with you, share it with another leader navigating change inside their organization. You can also connect with Susan M. Barber for coaching, leadership development, speaking engagements, and visibility strategy work focused on helping leaders become more influential, trusted, and impactful inside organizations. https://susanmbarber.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/susanbarbercoaching/

  8. 28 May

    221. Leading Through Difficult Performance Conversations

    221. Leading Through Difficult Performance Conversations   In this episode of The Visibility Factor Podcast, Susan M. Barber shares real-world leadership scenarios she has been discussing with coaching clients as mid-year reviews approach. She breaks down how leaders can have more transparent, strategic, and growth-focused conversations with team members about promotion readiness, performance expectations, and development opportunities. Sue explains why time in role alone does not determine readiness for advancement and why consistency, demonstrated competencies, and visibility matter more than assumptions or tenure. She also discusses how leaders can support employees by clearly identifying gaps, creating development opportunities, and delivering honest feedback in a way that builds trust rather than discouragement. This episode is especially valuable for new leaders, people managers, and anyone navigating difficult performance conversations with their teams.   Episode Highlights Why many employees mistakenly equate tenure with promotion readiness The importance of demonstrating competencies consistently How to remove subjectivity from performance conversations What leaders should do when previous managers created unrealistic expectations Ways to help employees gain visibility with senior leadership Why promoting someone too early can ultimately hurt their confidence and success How transparency strengthens trust and development   Top of Form Bottom of Form Connect with Susan M. Barber If this episode resonated with you, share it with another leader navigating change inside their organization. You can also connect with Susan M. Barber for coaching, leadership development, speaking engagements, and visibility strategy work focused on helping leaders become more influential, trusted, and impactful inside organizations. https://susanmbarber.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/susanbarbercoaching/

See All (229)

Trailer

About

Welcome to the Visibility Factor podcast with Susan M. Barber – a show where business leaders and anyone seeking ways to raise their visibility can come to learn how to take action in their own authentic way.

Information

  • Creator
    Susan M. Barber
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    229
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Susan M. Barber Coaching & Consulting LLC
  • Show Website
    The Visibility Factor

You Might Also Like