Why Showing Up Still Matters: In-Person Visibility and Career Growth
These days, working remotely feels like the new normal. Flexibility reigns. Independence is prized. And heading into an office can feel almost old-school.
But here’s the thing: if you’re serious about growing your career, getting noticed, and building relationships that open doors, showing up in person still matters. A lot.
At Ari Agency, we’ve watched hundreds of executive careers take off. And it’s rarely just pure talent that does it. It’s access. And access happens face-to-face, not over Slack or a quick Zoom check-in.
Face Time = Career Currency
Let’s be blunt: if you’re not in the room, you’re not in the conversation.
When you’re physically present, you’re on people’s radar. You’re getting time with managers, execs, and potential champions who might help shape your path. Whether you’re a new grad or a rising VP, that visibility matters.
Remote work has huge upsides. We all love the freedom. But freedom comes with a price. One of the biggest costs is missed relationship-building. Those little moments that can make or break your trajectory often don’t happen virtually.
I’m not saying you need to be chained to your desk five days a week. But zero days in the office is leaving career capital on the table.
In-Person Isn’t Just Productive. It’s Personal.
Here’s what many emerging leaders underestimate: how powerful just a few hours in the office can be.
When you’re there, you’re seen. You’re part of spontaneous conversations. You might get pulled into a brainstorm. Or grab coffee, solve a problem on the fly, and save yourself days of back-and-forth emails.
In-person time builds trust faster than any Zoom ever will. It’s human and natural, and it often leads to insights, opportunities, and connections you never planned for.
I talk to executives every week who intentionally seek face-to-face time. Not just to check on projects, but to get to know people. Because when people know you, they remember you. And when big opportunities come up, they think of you first.
The Data Agrees
It’s not just gut instinct. The numbers back it up:
A 2023 ResumeBuilder survey found that 90% of companies plan to enforce return-to-office policies, driven by beliefs in higher productivity, collaboration, and innovation.
The UK Office for National Statistics reported that in-office employees were 23% more likely to get promoted than fully remote counterparts.
Those stats aren’t random. They reflect how real career growth happens—in person, through conversations, and in those small moments between meetings.
Building Your Advocates Starts With Showing Up
Every big career leap I’ve ever seen - promotions, career pivots, stretch assignments - has had one thing in common: someone inside the company went to bat for that person.
But no one advocates for someone they barely know.
To build those champions, you have to be visible. You need real conversations with people who understand your strengths and where you want to go. And if you’re still figuring out your next step, even better. Advocates can help you explore what’s possible, but only if they know you exist.
Those connections don’t happen over email alone. They’re built face-to-face through small, cumulative interactions that add up over time.
Visibility Isn’t Vanity. It’s Strategy.
This advice applies to everyone. Whether you’re just launching your career or you’ve been leading teams for a decade. Senior professionals often already know the power of showing up. But early-career talent sometimes misses how many invisible benefits come from simply being there.
Careers aren’t built in isolation. They’re built in connection with mentors, peers, and leaders who can help open doors you might not even know exist.
So if you’re serious about your future, make the effort to be seen. Not just online, but in real life.
If you work remotely, make it a priority to connect in person with peers and senior executives at client meetings or company events to build relationships and keep your career moving forward.
