81: How Ops Execs Can Stop Being Overlooked and Start Being Heard with 3 Actionable Moves

Find the full transcript at yourfuturerealized.com/81.

Melanie*’s job as an operations leader means she often has to say things people don’t want to hear. She got the role because she’s passionate, driven, and trusted to guide her company through some pretty big changes.

But change always brings uncertainty, and how you show up and communicate can make all the difference.

When we first met, Melanie’s passion was actually holding her back. She’d get interrupted in meetings, get flustered and leave feeling frustrated, even thinking, “Maybe after seven years, it’s time for me to just walk away.”

But this week, she told me, “Honestly, now I welcome their interruptions. I’m ready for it.” It’s a huge turning point.

If you’re stuck delivering tough news and feel caught between your commitment and the resistance around you, this episode is for you. It’s time to stop fading into the background. The three moves I’ll share today are your starting line. 

*Not her real name.

Transcript

Melanie*’s job as an operations leader means she often has to say things people don’t want to hear. She got the role because she’s passionate, driven, and trusted to guide her company through some pretty big changes.

But change always brings uncertainty, and how you show up and communicate can make all the difference.

When we first met, Melanie’s passion was actually holding her back. She’d get interrupted in meetings, get flustered and leave feeling frustrated, even thinking, “Maybe after seven years, it’s time for me to just walk away.”

But this week, she told me, “Honestly, now I welcome their interruptions. I’m ready for it.” It’s a huge turning point.

If you’re stuck delivering tough news and feel caught between your commitment and the resistance around you, this episode is for you. It’s time to stop fading into the background. The three moves I’ll share today are your starting line. Find the full transcript at yourfuturerealized.com/81.

The Real Problem: Ops Execs Get Stuck in the Background

Hey Ops Execs,

Here’s the deal: You keep your company running, but you’re often in the background. That means it’s easier to get overlooked in meetings, and sometimes you might wonder if you’re making any difference. 

It’s not about how hard you work. It’s that people don’t see or hear you when it counts.

Leading change is tough. There’s always pushback and uncertainty. But how you show up and speak up can make all the difference.

The Solution: 3 Actionable Moves to Get Noticed and Heard

Here’s how my client got noticed, not by changing herself, but by changing how she showed up:

1. Show Up Where It Matters

She stopped staying in her office and started showing up in the main meeting room, which they call ‘the war room’. She was always there: first to arrive, last to leave, even if she was alone. She made sure to be seen where real decisions happen.

2. Speak Up Consistently and Clearly

She kept repeating her main points, even when it seemed no one cared. But because she was more visible, people finally started to listen. One day, the CEO heard her request, not because she changed her words, but because she was there and fully committed.

3. Have a Ready Response When You’re Talked Over

Instead of going quiet when interrupted, she was ready. Now, when someone talks over her in a busy cross-functional meeting, she calmly says, “I want to be mindful of everyone’s time, and this is an important issue. Let’s set up a time to discuss this further, just the two of us.” No drama, no sulking. Just a calm, confident way to stay in the conversation.

Why These Three Moves?

• Visibility makes you impossible to ignore. People notice when you show up in the right places.
• Consistency builds credibility. If you keep speaking up, your message eventually gets through.
• Preparedness keeps you in the game. Having a ready response keeps you at the table, in the conversation, even if you’re interrupted.

These simple steps help you go from unnoticed to respected, without extra hours or changing who you are.

Practical Advice: Try This This Week

• Choose one meeting where you can be seen and stay present.
• Practice saying your top priorities clearly and calmly, even if you’ve said them already.
• Have a calm, confident response ready for when someone interrupts you.

I’ll leave you with this question today: How can you make your presence felt without waiting for permission?

Change takes time, and how you lead through it sets the tone for your team.

If this episode hit home, you’ll want to check out episode 68: “When Personal Branding Doesn’t Work for Ops Execs and How to Fix It.” You’ll hear why just working hard isn’t enough, and how to align your personal brand with what your stakeholders actually need to see from you. Listen in at yourfuturerealized.com/68.

You can’t stop the chaos, but you can change the game.

*Not her real name.