Why the way you communicate at work matters more than you think and what to do about it.
I’ll be honest with you: for a long time, I was terrible at this. I was the person who got on with the job, delivered the results, held everything together, and then quietly watched someone else get the promotion I thought I deserved. Sound familiar?
Here’s what I’ve learned, both from my own career in the food industry and from coaching the brilliant people I work with now: doing good work is not enough. I know that’s a frustrating thing to hear, but the truth is if you’re not communicating what you’re doing and building the kind of influence that means people think of you when it matters, then you’re leaving your career progression entirely to chance.
Stop saying “it’s all fine”
The next time your manager asks how a project is going, don’t just say “it’s all under control.” I know it feels like the right answer (calm, capable, no drama), but what you’re actually communicating is that everything has been plain sailing. Which means you haven’t had to work that hard. Which means there’s nothing for them to recognise.
Instead, tell them the story. Not in a panicked “you won’t believe what’s been happening” way, but calmly, confidently: “This issue came up last week, but I got ahead of it by doing X and Y, so we’re in good shape.” That one shift in how you communicate positions you as a problem-solver. It puts your capabilities on the record, and it means that next time an opportunity comes up, you’re already in your manager’s head.
If people don’t know what you want, they’ll assume
I once had an assumption made about me; that I wouldn’t want to manage a team because I’d recently had a child. It was well-intentioned but it was never based on a conversation anyone had actually had with me, and that’s the thing: when you don’t communicate your ambitions, other people fill in the blanks. They’re not doing it maliciously. They’re just busy, and they’re working with whatever information they have.
So, make sure the right people know what you’re interested in, what you’re good at, and where you want to go. Build relationships with people who are senior to you, or outside your usual team. Volunteer for cross-functional projects. Offer your expertise. The people who end up in the roles you want aren’t always the most talented people in the room; they’re often just the ones who made their intentions known.
Speak up (and with purpose)
One of the simplest, most overlooked ways to build your influence costs nothing and takes five minutes of preparation: going into meetings with something to say. Not filler. Not speaking for the sake of it. But having genuinely thought about the topic beforehand so that when the moment comes, you can add something of real value.
This is especially important if you’re naturally more introverted; the small talk and spontaneous contributions can feel exhausting, but you can absolutely prep your way to presence. Know your opinion before you walk in. Contribute early. And don’t underestimate what it means to people when you’re consistently the person who shows up with something useful to offer.
Three things worth doing this week
1. Reframe your next one-to-one. Instead of reassuring your manager that everything’s fine, share one challenge you navigated and how. Let them see you working.
2. Tell someone what you want. A manager, a mentor, a senior peer. Put your ambitions on the record so that when something comes up, you’re already in the conversation.
3. Put your hand up for something. A project outside your usual remit, a cross-functional working group, a chance to share your expertise somewhere new. Even if it doesn’t come off, you’ve signalled something important about yourself.
Want to build your influence in the food industry?
Fearless Influence is a programme designed specifically for food manufacturing and retail professionals who are ready to communicate with more confidence, build credibility, and make a real impact in their organisations. Find out more at https://fearlessfoodies.co.uk/fearlessinfluence/
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