Navigating the workplace is a challenging dynamic on its own. As a woman, as a minority, or as someone of a diverse background, the obstacles that are often in the way of thriving in a professional environment can be tough to overcome.
This is why it’s critical to be your own advocate — something many women (myself included, for many years), have struggled with — and for good reason. Women are more likely than men to be interrupted at work. For every 100 men promoted from entry level to manager, 87 women are. For women of color, that number drops to 73.
Here are a few tips for leaning into your own self-worth in a work setting.
1. Listen to Your Intuition
Your intuition, your gut instinct, your inner knowing — is a powerful tool. Use it! You know whether something feels right or not. Channel your intuition by paying attention to yourself. How do certain situations, conversations or people make you feel? Are you running on auto-pilot or are you in tune to the world around you?
Leaning into the information your body is telling you is a form of self-trust. Your body knows what’s best for you. Listen to her.
2. Stand in Your Own Truth
Part of being your own ambassador is knowing who you are and what you stand for. You are uniquely you — and while you may not feel confident in the weight that carries, the experiences, perspectives, and ideas that you have are worthy and valuable.
When you know who you are and what you stand for, you’re able to stay rooted in your belief system and the boundaries you set for yourself. This form of self-care is critical for keeping the negative out of your personal and professional life and also for keeping those things that light you up, challenge you to grow, and give you opportunity in it.
Your authenticity will foster respect and trust from your colleagues and superiors. It’ll also help you maintain your mental and emotional well-being by reducing the stress that comes from trying to be someone you’re not.
3. Don’t Play the ‘Mean Girl’ Game
Regardless of if you want to or not, it can feel like workplace politics are tempting to engage in, whether to fuel your ego or to fit in with the crowd. But playing the ‘mean girl’ game — trying to be liked by everyone or engaging in negative behaviors to get ahead — is counterproductive.
Aim to earn respect rather than popularity. Focus on building genuine, healthy relationships with colleagues and professional connections. And, while it can be tough to admit, not everyone will like you — and that’s perfectly okay. Instead of trying to be liked, focus on building a reputation of competence, integrity, and quality work.
4. Communicate Effectively
Clear and confident communication is key to advocating for yourself. This means expressing your thoughts, needs, and boundaries directly and respectfully. The reality of the professional world is that, while there are many people who will help and vouch for you, you have to be doing so for yourself, too. If you don’t speak up, your leaders and colleagues won’t know where you stand.
Tip: Practice for important conversations in advance. Outline the key points you want to make, and prepare by rehearsing the conversation out loud. It might feel weird, but it helps!
5. Seek Allies and Mentors
Having a professional support system can make advocating for yourself easier. The people you choose to align with can provide advice and support and help amplify your voice. These people can also connect you to their networks, opening doors and opportunities to you that you may not have otherwise had access to.
When building your support squad, seek out people who share your values and goals and want to see you succeed. Try to surround yourself with others who have different perspectives and backgrounds to help you become a more thoughtful, well-rounded individual.
The Importance of Advocating for Yourself in the Workplace
Advocating for yourself in the workplace is essential for personal and professional growth. It starts by knowing who you are and what feels aligned for you and then using that as the foundation for how you show up in the world.
It’s okay to speak up. It’s okay to ask questions. It’s okay to not be liked by everyone — and, real talk: it’s equally okay for you to not like someone else. By trusting in yourself and staying true to who you are and what you’re after, the confidence to advocate on your own behalf will develop. You deserve it.
Jennifer Guzman
As a key figure in Chicago’s business community, Jennifer is dedicated to mentoring small and middle-market businesses, with a focus on women and communities of color. With over two decades in HR and Client/Employee Experience, she has helped businesses from large corporations to family-owned firms. Her experience at EmPower HR, as Vice President of Client and Employee Experience, led her to establish Bestola Consulting. Her firm aids small businesses in aligning their purpose with their output, streamlining processes, and enhancing people experiences for better delivery and satisfaction.
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