3 Ways To Showcase Your Value And Positive Impact In Times Of Change

Making a positive impact at work with your unique talents and strengths

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In the years since the pandemic disrupted nearly every aspect of our professional and personal lives, there’s been a powerful shift in what professionals are seeking. As a career and leadership coach, I continue to hear from people each week who want to grow, pivot, or reinvent their work. But lately, their outreach has taken on a new tone—one of greater urgency, clarity, and determination to make a positive impact and demonstrate that impact and value regularly.

The questions I’m hearing now aren’t just about getting ahead or experiencing security—they’re about finding more meaning, positive influence, and alignment in their work and culture.

To bolster career purpose and fulfillment, many mid- to senior-level professionals want to expand their visibility—but not just for a promotion. They want recognition for what they do that’s unique and highly valuable, and to build a reputation as contributors who help others rise while advancing their own success.

Professionals are sharing statements such as:

• “I’ve been overworked and undervalued for too long—it’s time to demonstrate the value I bring and why it matters for this company.”
• “I’m ready to bring more confidence and self-trust to my work and role—to share what I know and help others in the process.”
• “I’m not aligned with my company’s values or direction right now, but I’m not ready to give up on this job yet. I want to see what difference I can make.”
• “My team is dealing with so much uncertainty and fear—I want to be there for them and help give them a better path forward.”

These aren’t isolated frustrations—they’re signals of a collective awakening. Professionals everywhere are re-evaluating what “success” truly means and how they want to contribute. And they’re doing it amid hybrid work models, economic uncertainty, generative AI, and evolving leadership expectations.

Yet amidst all this change, one truth remains: those who can clearly demonstrate their unique value and impact in ways that help their organizations thrive, will stand out.

Over nearly two decades of coaching thousands of professionals, I’ve seen that it often takes a crisis—or at least a strong wake-up call—for people to step forward and own their strengths. But it doesn’t have to be that way. We can see this moment—and the redefinition of work as “work in flux”—as an opportunity to realign with who we are and the impact we’re here to make.

As April Rinne, a renowned World Economic Forum Young Global Leader, Forbes’ 50 Leading Female Futurists, and author of the book Flux: 8 Superpowers for Thriving in Constant Change shared with me in our recent conversation:

“There is more change, uncertainty, unknown, flux. And there’s going to be more flux in the world every year that passes, not less.”

Below are three powerful ways to clarify and communicate your value, elevate your leadership presence, and make a meaningful difference in the changing world of work.

1. Reconnect with and leverage your core talents and strengths—and why they matter now

Every professional brings a distinct combination of experiences, skills, and personal strengths. Some are learned through training and shaping from our early lives on, while others come naturally—so naturally that we often overlook them. Yet these innate strengths are often what make our contributions most valuable. They shape how we connect, lead, solve problems, and create results.

In fast-moving work environments, it’s easy to lose touch with what we do best. To reclaim that clarity, try this:

Take an hour this week to list every role you’ve held—paid or unpaid. For each, note:

• What you loved most about the work
• What drained or frustrated you most
• Your proudest achievements
• Your hardest challenges and how you overcame them
• The skills or traits you used to succeed
• What you want to bring forward more of now (and what to let go of)

When you review your list, patterns will emerge—the through-lines showing the strengths you’ve applied across different situations and the kinds of problems you’re most energized to solve.

For example, one client realized her biggest wins came from bridging communication gaps between creative and analytical teams. Another found that his real strength wasn’t “project management,” but inspiring collaboration and accountability across diverse groups.

Once you see your patterns, ask yourself: Why do these strengths matter now—and why do they matter to me? Connecting your strengths to today’s organizational and societal needs transforms them from traits into true value.

2. Communicate your “value story” with confidence

Knowing your strengths is one thing—communicating and demonstrating them powerfully is another. Many professionals struggle to describe what makes them stand apart for fear they’ll sound boastful—or they wrestle with imposter syndrome and doubt their worth.

But in today’s job market, visibility and clarity aren’t optional—they’re essential. Whether you’re pursuing a promotion, a new role, or expanded impact, people need to see the connection between what you offer and the measurable positive outcomes you deliver.

Your “value story” is the narrative that connects your experiences, strengths, and tangible results. It’s the story that answers: “Why you?”

Here’s how to shape it:

• Identify your key themes. Choose three to five messages you want others to associate with you—such as “strategic communicator,” “inclusive and empowering leader,” or “innovation catalyst.”
• Support each theme with evidence. Back up your claims with real-world examples and measurable results. (For example: “Led a cross-functional team that improved client retention by 27%, increasing recurring revenue by X.”)
• Share your thought leadership publicly. Today’s leaders build credibility not just by doing great work, but by sharing what they’re learning – their “teachable point of view.” Consider writing a number of LinkedIn posts sharing your insights, contribute to panels, offer a training at your organization or an industry association conference, publish a newsletter, or mentor colleagues. Share your ideas and thought leadership, not just your accomplishments.

When you express your insights generously, you shift from being seen as an employee to being recognized as a thought partner and leader.

And remember—your story doesn’t need to be perfect or linear. It just needs to be real, grounded in who you are and what you know, and the difference you want to make.

3. Take action to demonstrate your value every day

The most effective way to showcase your value isn’t by telling people about it—it’s by living it consistently.

Every meeting, project, and interaction is an opportunity to demonstrate your leadership and values. The goal isn’t to “prove yourself” or dominate your meetings and conversations, but to embody the behaviors, energy, values and impact you aspire to offer.

Ask yourself:

• In what ways can I contribute something meaningful today—an idea, a new question, a connection?
• How can I make someone else’s work easier or help my team move forward—without taking on more than is healthy (or micromanaging)?
• What different actions could I take this week that align with my higher goals and visions?
• Who can I connect with who might become part of my “inspiration network?”

In uncertain times, people look for steadiness, empathy, and inspiration. Leaders who bring calm confidence and compassion—who communicate transparently, give credit generously, and model emotional intelligence—build enormous trust and loyalty.

Demonstrating your value doesn’t mean being louder or more self-promotional. It means showing up intentionally and engaging empowered actions every day that highlight your best strengths.

I’ve seen professionals transform their trajectories simply by actions such as:

• Starting a short-form video series on lessons learned in their field
• Launching a mentoring circle for rising leaders
• Leading a cross-department initiative aligned with their passions
• Writing a LinkedIn article that distills a key insight from a recent challenge and success
• Offering a training session on a skill or perspective that helps others grow

Each small act of leadership compounds over time—building visibility, confidence, and fulfillment.

The opportunity in front of you

The world of work continues to evolve at lightning speed. Technology, AI, and shifting needs and expectations are redefining what effective leadership looks like. But the human truths remain: most professionals want to do work that matters, to grow, and to make a positive difference and feel amply rewarded for their contributions. And they want this not just for themselves but for others and their organizations as a whole.

There’s no better time than now to claim your voice, strength and your value story—and to demonstrate the unique positive impact you’re here to make.

Kathy Caprino is a global career, leadership and performance coach, LinkedIn Top Voice, 2x author, speaker and host of the podcast Finding Brave, supporting professional breakthrough to new levels of impact. Take Kathy’s Career Path Assessment to help develop your career narrative.