Advocacy in the Workplace: Why It Matters More Than You Think
Five years ago, I came across an HBR article that highlighted the crucial role that advocates can play in one's career. At the time, I thought I understood the concept, but it wasn't until much later that I realized just how important having advocates can be for career advancement.
As employees, we often work hard to prove ourselves and showcase our skills and abilities to management, hoping it will lead to career growth. However, we often fail to recognize the critical role that advocates can play in helping us achieve these goals.
Advocates are essentially brand ambassadors for your work and can help to create opportunities for you to showcase your skills and advance in your career. They speak on your behalf, championing your skills and accomplishments to others in the organization, including your immediate supervisor, as well as colleagues in other departments or even senior executives.
Having advocates is particularly important for employees who may not have a strong network or who may struggle with self-promotion. In these cases, having someone who is willing to speak up for you and advocate on your behalf can be a game-changer. Additionally, advocates can provide valuable feedback and advice on areas where you may need to improve, helping you to grow and develop as a professional.
For instance, a former colleague of mine was struggling to gain recognition for his work despite his many accomplishments. His efforts were not being acknowledged by his superiors, and he was often passed over for promotions and opportunities.
It wasn't until a senior executive took notice of his work and became an advocate for him that things began to change. This executive spoke with other senior leaders in the organization about my colleague's work and advocated for him to be given more high-profile projects and opportunities for growth. Within a year, my colleague had been promoted twice and was being considered for even higher-level roles.
This example highlights the power of advocates and the impact they can have on an employee's career. Without the advocacy of this senior executive, my colleague may have continued to struggle to gain recognition for his work, despite his many accomplishments.
So, how can employees go about finding advocates within their organizations? One key strategy is to build strong relationships with colleagues and supervisors. This means being proactive in seeking out opportunities to collaborate with others, taking the time to get to know colleagues on a personal level, and being willing to offer help and support to others when needed.
Another strategy is to actively seek out mentors within the organization who can provide guidance and advice on career development. Mentors can also serve as advocates, helping to promote your work to others and opening doors for you to advance in your career.
In conclusion, the importance of having advocates in the workplace cannot be overstated. These advocates can help to champion your work, create opportunities for growth, and ultimately lead to career advancement. As employees, it is important to recognize the critical role that advocates can play and to actively seek out opportunities to build relationships and find advocates within our organizations.