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Advocate for yourself! It can be one of the most uncomfortable situations you will encounter at the workplace. But, learning to speak up for yourself and express who you are, what you need, what you struggle with, and what you stand for are all acts of courage! These acts can also look like openly sharing your ideas during meetings or speaking up to a colleague when you feel mistreated. Self-advocacy may feel uneasy, but it’s necessary for your well-being. Your vulnerability is what makes you brave and what builds your self-confidence.
What are some ways you can advocate for yourself in the workplace to support your growth and wellbeing?
Build your personal brand based on how you want to be perceived
Your personal brand is what makes you unique, and it’s how you present yourself to the world. It’s a combination of your skills, expertise, experiences and passions. It’s the way others would choose to describe you. So ask yourself, “What do I want to be known for?” Write it down and place it where you can be reminded of it daily. Ask your colleagues and employers at work for their feedback so you can re-evaluate the impression that you give off to others. Does this impression align with how you want to be remembered?
Keep a record of your accomplishments and share them during meetings
Keeping track of your accomplishments, the challenges you navigated and what you learned will benefit your professional growth. Tie these back to the skills you developed. Then you will be more prepared to speak about your strengths and achievements during performance reviews with your manager. Keeping track of your accomplishments will also help you prepare for your future interviews and lead to potential promotions or opportunities!
Seek out mentors as an opportunity to grow and expand your knowledge
Many employers provide formal or informal mentorship and personal development opportunities. These opportunities will help you gain the skills and knowledge to become an even more valuable employee. Ask your employer if you can be mentored by someone who can lead you. If you have trouble finding a mentor, it could be someone with more experience, a senior-level colleague or even your manager. Your mentor can not only support you but introduce you to their network and other opportunities!
When it comes to self-advocacy in the workplace, make sure you ask for what you need, regardless of the outcome. You will be proud of yourself for taking that step. With practice, you will become more comfortable and confident in speaking up for yourself.
Originally published at TalentEgg