Visibility = Possibility: The Mindset Shift That Changed My Journey

Shikhar Agarwal
Jun 16
3 min read

Updated: Jun 26

For much of my early career, I focused on doing good work quietly — often behind the scenes, often with impact that spoke for itself. Like many women and professionals from cultures that value humility over self-promotion, I believed that visibility was something others pursued, not something I needed. My value would be recognised naturally, I thought. Until I realised that invisibility, however unintentional, can be its own form of limitation.

Then one day, almost accidentally, a sign from the universe nudged me toward a mindset shift. I felt an internal push to write a post on LinkedIn — to finally speak about something that had unlocked something deep within me. I’d always promoted others, always stayed behind the scenes. Visibility wasn’t something I embraced. But this post felt necessary. I published it.

The response was overwhelming. It resonated. People commented, messaged, and shared…and some wrote personal messages. One comment stood out — "Is this the cover of your book?" It was from Sumit Mundra, someone I had inducted into McKC years ago on June 6th — his first corporate role. I had no idea I’d left such an impression until we reconnected, coincidentally, on June 6th again. When I thanked him and asked about the idea of a book, he said, "It’s real, it’s tough, and I think if anyone can do justice to it, it’s you." I didn’t have complete faith in myself yet. But he did.

That faith ignited something in me. I began writing — not knowing where it would take me, only that it needed to begin. What is emerging may become a book, or something else entirely, but it already feels like a calling I am answering. I had always wanted to write, but didn’t see myself as a writer. This mindset shift has changed that. I feel more connected to my voice and more attuned to the whispers of what wants to be shared next.

Visibility is the courage to be seen not for attention, but for alignment — with your values, your voice, and your impact.

I started challenging my belief that visibility meant arrogance or self-centeredness. Instead, I began to see visibility as a service — a way of showing others what is possible, a way of standing for the work I believe in, and a way of leading from the front with authenticity.

From that shift emerged new collaborations, speaking opportunities, and clients who said, “I never knew you did this kind of work” or “I’ve been looking for someone just like you.”

Whether you're a solopreneur, a senior leader, or navigating a career pivot, I invite you to ask: What possibilities might open up if you allowed yourself to be more visible — strategically, intentionally, and authentically?

Three small ways to begin: