Level Up Your Voice and Career: How to Advocate For Yourself at Work

Shiwon Oh Sep 4, 2024 1:23:06 PM

You’re in a meeting and finally get to pitch a solution for an issue that’s been impacting your team. But when you share your thoughts, people respond halfheartedly, seemingly not won over by any of your suggestions.

To make matters worse, a male colleague later parrots you and your coworkers’ reactions are startlingly different. They approach the conversation with renewed vigor, and you wonder where your communication went wrong—or if you didn’t stand your ground enough.

Then, your manager raises their attention. They state that, in fact, you were the first to bring up the idea and therefore deserve the recognition. They point out the thought and hard work you put into your proposal and urge others to follow your action steps more attentively. Because of their advocacy, there’s a shift in the room. You’re able to contribute more of your perspective, and people listen.

Advocacy in the workplace is essential for personal and collective success.

Advocacy in the workplace is about speaking up for yourself and for others so all voices are heard. It benefits everyone involved, whether you’re vouching for yourself or supporting a colleague.

To truly drive change within your organization, you must practice self and community advocacy. Self-advocacy grows your influence. It helps you push for a promotion, secure a title change, or freely pursue opportunities that propel your career. Peer advocacy takes it a step further and inspires impact. Empowerment doesn’t stop with one person; it’s meant to be a ripple effect that enables you to champion others and instill a culture where everyone feels valued.

After all, none of us can truly break the glass ceiling or repair the broken rung alone. We’re bound to hit a limit if we try to fly toward success alone. But with others soaring alongside us, we’ll find that the path to our north star is all the more clearer—and our journey, rife with its own challenges and setbacks, won’t feel so isolated.

Here, we provide several self-advocacy strategies that enable you to uplift your community and transform its culture from the ground up.

Without advocacy, people suffer—and companies take a hit, too.

Improper advocacy isn’t just harmful to the individual; it’s detrimental to the organization. Imagine constantly feeling invisible, your needs not met, and your accomplishments ignored. Symptoms like burnout, disengagement, and even turnover are inevitable if your company fails to foster healthier workplace belonging.

According to a 2024 SHRM survey, nearly half of workers state experiencing burnout for various reasons, several of which are a lack of belonging. When people are in a constant state of mental exhaustion, doubt, and irritability, they’re significantly more likely to seek other roles that promise better treatment.

Advocacy in the workplace strengthens belonging and solidarity. When people know they actively help their company meet its goals and their colleagues fully laud their efforts, they don’t just feel like another cog in the machine—they’re a vital piece of a larger puzzle.

It’s simple. The more employees feel valued, the higher their engagement and productivity. Advocacy clarifies purpose, helping to create a supportive environment where the entire work community thrives.

How do companies advocate for their employees?

Advocacy in the workplace takes many forms. Simply put, it’s a multifaceted opportunity for companies to embody empowerment and set the standard for others to follow. There are several ways for organizations to prioritize their employees:

Make DEIA a top priority: There’s no denying that DEIA is a win for everyone, not just the underrepresented and undervalued. For one, higher diversity increases the likelihood of financial outperformance. From implementing inclusive policies to providing regular educational discussions, DEIA requires action on all levels for all parties to see positive outcomes.
Offer mentorship opportunities: An HR Research Institute survey reveals that more than half of its respondents have access to a mentorship program within their organization. People recognize the value of maintaining mutually beneficial connections where mentors teach and guide their mentees while mentees help mentors sharpen their leadership and gain new perspectives.
Provide relevant and tangible benefits: More than ever, people expect incentives that go beyond monetary compensation or resources to climb the corporate ladder. In fact, 40% of employers believe employees quit their jobs for companies with better perks, while one in 10 employees are willing to reduce their pay for improved benefits. To properly advocate for high-quality talent, leaders must provide rewards that matter, such as flexible work, ample time off, and inclusive healthcare coverage.

How can I advocate for myself in the workplace?

As companies learn to advocate on a macro level, you must know how to advocate for yourself. At the end of the day, you tell your story the best—and if you don’t know how to control your narrative, others will take the reins. Here are three simple ways to get started:

Build confidence: Gone are the days when women were expected to be modest and unassuming. Advocacy starts when you believe in your capabilities and speak up about your needs, whether for professional development or recognition of our achievements. It takes patience, but honing self-confidence is essential for strengthening your voice.
Find your people: Surround yourself with a diverse community that will show up for you. It can be your manager, a mentor in another industry, or even a colleague. Your support system is there to help you navigate unique career challenges that require you to be firm and unapologetic.
Practice, practice, practice: Need to facilitate a difficult conversation? Are you still unaccustomed to boasting? Even the strongest leaders need time to gather their thoughts and share authentically. Prepare and practice, and remember you’re in a safe place to fall. You’ll be guaranteed to learn how to climb back up.

How do I practice peer advocacy?

Advocacy begins with inner transformation, but it doesn’t stop there. If your self-advocacy skills are your foundation, peer advocacy is the larger vision that makes equity possible. Standing in the gap for others ensures that mutual respect and empowerment become the norm. As a peer advocate, you can:

Ask: Some appreciate real-time public praise, while others prefer you to celebrate them more privately. If you need more clarification, ask for their input and tailor your support to their preferences. Advocacy isn’t one-size-fits-all.
Be a mentor or sponsor: Mentorship and sponsorship can sound daunting to anyone without prior experience. However, if you have a passion for speaking on others’ behalf and raising awareness of their needs, you can play an active role in nurturing another person’s success.
Deepen your relationships: Everyone needs allies to build well-rounded career confidence. More often than not, your connections will enable you to share your experiences, help you process your thoughts, and be a reliable source of support when you need mutual accountability.

Need a community to champion your career? CCWomen is in your corner.

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