Have you ever looked around your workplace and wondered why some individuals seem to effortlessly climb the ranks of leadership while others appear to be stuck in the same role for what feels like an eternity? The frustration of being passed over for promotions can be demoralizing. So, what sets apart those who ascend the leadership ladder quickly from those who seem to hit a career plateau? Many think that working harder is the solution, when in fact, it has nothing to do with getting promoted (if you’re already a high performer).
So, what could be holding you back? If you find yourself stuck in a professional rut, several factors might be contributing to your stagnation:
- lack of visibility
- limited skills
- reluctance to step outside comfort zones
- inadequate self-promotion
- absence of mentorship or guidance
Out of curiosity, how would you rate yourself on each of the factors listed above? If not high, don’t worry because there is a single remedy that could address most of these: Advocating for yourself!
I know what you’re thinking: “I don’t want to come across as arrogant.” or “I don’t know how to talk about my achievements without sounding sale-sy.”
I get it. But you also need to get this: while humility is an admirable quality, are you open to the possibility that you may be leaning on it too much? Underselling yourself will hinder your progress. And while you might be excelling in your current role, if your accomplishments go unnoticed by higher-ups, it's really challenging for them to consider you for promotions. It’s the same for any business. A business owner could have the best product, but if no one knew about it, how would they make any sales? How could they continue to thrive as a business without marketing its product?
My challenge for you is this: Try looking at your work-self like you would any other product on the market. How much marketing are you doing to elevate your product? Is it any surprise you’re not getting the results and attention you need to scale your career as you envision it for your future self?
There are several ways to authentically advocate for yourself without feeling like you’re compromising your values and integrity. Here’s how you can get started:
First, you’ll need to decide what you want for yourself. Develop a career growth plan by defining your short-term (2-5 years) and long-term career goals (10 years +).
If you have a solid professional relationship with your boss, share your plan with them. Have them pick at it, ask questions. The idea is about shedding light on things you might not have thought about while also softly advocating for yourself by making your intentions known. Then, create a roadmap with actionable steps to achieve them. For each milestone in your plan, you should include aspects of the following 9 strategies:
1. If you don’t already have a growth mindset, you will have to start cultivating one now! This means:
- embracing challenges as opportunities for learning and growth;
- viewing setbacks as temporary obstacles, rather than permanent roadblocks;
- staying curious and continuously seeking ways to improve yourself.
- focus on the skills and knowledge needed to reach your next goals.
There are a ton of resources out there, but you don’t have to read the whole library to learn them all. Extend yourself some grace and patience, just as you would to a good friend. Focus on what’s directly ahead and don’t expect to change overnight – growth takes time.
2. Don't wait for others to recognize your achievements. Articulate your value proposition confidently and assertively. This will require confidence, clarity, and tact to ensure you are heard and taken seriously (this is why having a clear vision of your career goals will help!) But “How do I advocate for myself without sounding pushy or full of myself?” you ask? Here are some things for you to try:
- when discussing your accomplishments or ideas, emphasize the value they bring to the team or organization.
- use specific examples and metrics to prove the results of your work.
- frame your achievements in terms of how they benefit the company's goals or bottom line.
- When discussing your achievements, mention the contributions of your team members or collaborators.
3. Request feedback from supervisors, peers, and clients to gain insights into your performance and areas for improvement. I do this all the time with narrative 360’s for my clients. By asking for feedback (and acting on it), you are showing your willingness to grow and improve AND growing your network of supporters in the process.
You can even go the extra step and acknowledge the support and guidance you have received from mentors or colleagues and/or pay it forward and offer to provide similar type of feedback for another colleague.
4. When highlighting your accomplishments or sharing ideas, use "I" statements to take ownership, however balance this with a focus on teamwork and collaboration. For example: "I led the project team to achieve our goals." Or “While I took the lead on this initiative, it was the collective expertise and creativity of our team that brought it to fruition.”
5. Prepare elevator pitches by developing concise and clear statements about your skills, achievements, and career goals. These "elevator pitches" can be useful in networking events, performance reviews or casual conversations about career growth. Practice delivering these pitches in a confident yet humble manner (i.e., refer back to point #5). Be ready to deliver it on a moment’s notice - you never know when you’ll bump into someone who could potentially support you on your journey.
6. Show professionalism, respect and integrity. This means staying out of the office gossip and drama loops completely – even if working with friends. Avoid speaking negatively about colleagues or taking credit for others' work. Maintain a professional demeanor in all interactions, whether with supervisors, peers or subordinates. Respect the perspectives and contributions of others, even when advocating for your ideas. The idea here is that you demonstrate that you are a model for leadership presence and behavior, which makes it easier for the higher-ups and decision-makers to picture you in such a role.
7. Cultivate positive relationships with colleagues, supervisors, mentors, sponsors and other industry professionals. Mentors and sponsors are particularly excellent resources for those who aspire to scale the corporate ladder and can offer some valuable insights on the inner workings of the company so that you can better understand what is truly valued by the leadership team.
Engage in meaningful conversations, offer assistance and express genuine interest in others' work. People won’t necessarily remember your accomplishments, but they will always remember how you made them feel during your interaction. Once you’ve nurtured those relationships, you can then leverage your network for career advice, opportunities, and referrals.
8. Ask for opportunities rather than favors. When seeking new challenges or responsibilities, frame it as a desire to contribute more to the team. This will help prevent you from sounding entitled or expecting special treatment.
For example, you can frame your request as such: "I'm interested in taking on a new project that aligns with my skills and interests. How can I get involved?"
9. Last, but certainly not least, be true to yourself and your values. Advocating for yourself doesn’t mean pretending to be someone you're not. Your authenticity will shine through, and you will earn respect when you seek ways to be in service of others.
While some individuals may seem to ascend effortlessly, their journeys were often also studded with dedication, resilience, and a commitment to growth, which encompasses many of the similar challenges and inner turmoil you might also be experiencing right now.
Remember, your career path is unique and comparisons to others can be counterproductive. Focus on developing your skills, seizing opportunities for growth, and advocating for yourself. With persistence, determination, and a clear vision of your goals, you too can achieve the leadership levels you aspire to.
If you are looking for a more customized leadership development experience, leadership coaching may be the better option to get you to your professional development goals faster. Book a complimentary “Discovery Call” to discuss your goals and see if working with a leadership coach might be the way to go.