Visible leadership: The coffee strategy

Being visible as a leader really matters. When people can see you, they understand you better. They know what you stand for, what you care about and how you work. That visibility makes it easier to engage others, share key messages and influence behaviour without constantly having to push.

The challenge is that visibility can feel like a big, woolly concept. So rather than trying to tackle everything at once, here’s one simple, practical thing you can do to build visibility and confidence at the same time.

The challenge of networking

This comes up again and again in conversations with clients. People talk about teams working in silos, talented individuals keeping their heads down and a general reluctance to put themselves out there. There’s often a sense of frustration that good work goes unnoticed or that opportunities feel slightly out of reach.

I recognise that feeling. I wasn’t proactive about building connections when I was an employee. Looking back, that lack of visibility slowed my progress and left me feeling disconnected from the bigger picture of what was happening around me.

Most people don’t think of themselves as strategic network builders. That’s a shame, because nothing replaces the value of being well connected. A strong network gives you access to support, insight and opportunities to be seen by people beyond your immediate circle.

Part of the problem is language. When we hear the word “network”, we immediately think of “networking”. Awkward events. Forced conversations. Name badges and small talk. Not exactly appealing.

Introducing the coffee strategy

This is where the coffee strategy comes in. It’s a simple plan to build your network one conversation at a time. No schmoozing. No big events. Just purposeful, human conversations that help you become more visible and more confident.

When I share this idea in keynotes and masterclasses, people breathe a sigh of relief. It feels doable. And that’s the point.

How it works

Start by listing ten people you’d consider useful to know, and for them to know you. These aren’t random names. Think about people whose work you admire, whose insight would help you grow or who sit slightly outside your usual orbit.

Next, get in touch and ask for 30 minutes of their time. That could be in person or online. Coffee is optional. What matters is that your request feels thoughtful and relevant to them.

Be specific about why you’re reaching out. For example:

* You might ask about a project they led and what they learned from it.
* You could ask how they navigated a rapid career move and what helped.
* You might reference an event they spoke at and ask about trends that could affect your organisation.

Specific questions show respect for their time and make the conversation easier for both of you.

Then comes the most important part. Keep going.

Continues..