There are many benefits that you will gain by being more visible. I will share a few to help you see why visibility is important.
First, this may seem basic, but people will know who you are. This is especially important in larger organizations where there are many team members that are not known to senior management. They are known to their team members and manager, but that is it. When it comes time for succession planning, if you are not known, then no one can consider you for a promotion or additional responsibilities. Someone who has a positive or even a negative view of you is better than having no view of you at all.
The second is that people can see the value that you add to the team and your company. Hiding behind others diminishes the value that you bring and it limits your potential to do more. Ask yourself why you aren’t out in front more? There are simple ways to start out doing this to build your confidence and get used to being in the spotlight. Present something in a meeting, lead a volunteer group or write something for the company newsletter. Try things that push you out of your comfort zone, but fit well with who you are and your style.
The last one that I will share here is that it benefits your team. Your visibility automatically helps provide a view to what your team is doing if you talk about it. Share the accomplishments and wins that they have and what they are working on next. It also helps to provide visibility to team members that are ready for the next step. Introduce them to people who have influence, give them opportunities to lead things and talk about them when you are having conversations with senior management. Your support of them is one of the most important signs that they have strong potential to do more in the organization.
I hope this helps you see why visibility can be so important for you and your team. Think about the career goals that you or your team members have and how visibility can be used to help reach them faster.