By LaPora Lindsey

I was really good at taking on major projects in one particular role. I initiated proposals, implemented improvements—you name it, I had most likely tried it. On paper, my contributions looked impressive. In fact, my resume reflected a track record that any hiring manager would find valuable.

But here’s the catch, I was limiting myself. Not because of my supervisor. Not because of company restrictions. But because of me.

I was so laser-focused on what I could do, how I could improve, and how my skills could help me reach my personal goals. What I didn’t realize was that while my efforts looked great on paper, they weren’t fully aligned with the needs of my team or organization. I wasn’t thinking about how my work fit into the bigger picture or how it could benefit those around me.

Why your hard work isn’t enough

And that’s when it hit me—sometimes, the biggest silos aren’t the ones created by organizational structures. The biggest silos are the ones we unknowingly build around ourselves. And this is a primary reason hard work and value are not being seen.

We create these silos for different reasons—fear of overstepping, comfort in what we know, or even a lack of visibility (“No one sees me anyway, so why try?”). But when we impose these limits, we unintentionally isolate ourselves, making it harder for others to see our value and for us to create meaningful change.

It’s like trying to complete a project with no direction and no clear definition of what ‘done’ even means.

You might assume that doing great work alone will create influence, but without intentionally connecting your efforts to broader goals or demonstrating how they benefit those on your team, your contributions don’t really help anyone—except you. If you’re not looking at how your skills and value fit into the bigger picture, you’re likely missing key blind spots.

So, how do you move past self-imposed silos and create alignment between your skills and the team’s needs?

What to do about it (a starting point):

1. 1. Increase Visibility: Understand the Bigger Picture. Start by learning how your work fits into the broader goals of your team or organization. This isn’t just about knowing your job—it’s about seeing how your role connects to others. If you don’t know, ask. The more context you have, the more strategic you can be.
   2. Build Relationships: Expand Your Network. This can really be built in along with number one. As you understand the bigger picture you can start to build relationships. Talk to people outside your immediate team. Learn their challenges, processes, and priorities. Strong relationships create trust, and trust makes collaboration easier.
   3. Identify the Gaps: Find Opportunities to Collaborate. Now that you have visibility and connections, look for opportunities where collaboration could improve efficiency, innovation, or outcomes. Where are things getting stuck? Where could your expertise help another team—or vice versa?
   4. Take Action: Bridge the Gap. Finally, don’t just observe—act. Small, intentional efforts to align your work with others can break down silos over time. Whether it’s sharing knowledge, joining cross-functional discussions, or proactively aligning your work with broader goals, every step counts.

Disconnected efforts and workplace silos can make work hard, and work can already be difficult as it is. But when we develop a strategy to connect our contributions to the bigger picture, we don’t just complete tasks—we create impact.