How to Take Charge of Your Career and Advocate for Your Skills

Do you ever feel like your skills are being under-utilized at work?

If so, let me share with you the approach that my client used to advocate for his skills and begin his leadership journey.?

Firstly, he noticed a gap that he could fill.? ?

At the time, he had a manager who was very left-brain. This manager’s approach to leadership was logical, analytical, goal-oriented and systematic.?

My client, on the other hand, is a very right-brain thinker. He is creative, intuitive, strategic, and people-oriented.

When you have skills that aren’t being used at work, it’s easy to feel frustrated.

But instead of feeling discouraged, my client advocated for himself. ?

He booked a meeting with the Vice President in his department to discuss how he could help both his boss and the business.?

The key to his eventual promotion was knowing how to approach this conversation.?

His conversation with his Vice President was not about his boss’s shortcomings; rather, he focused on the value that his skills could bring to the team. ?

So, if you feel underutilized or have talents that are not being recognized…it’s time to advocate for yourself!

Don’t wait for other people to recognize your strengths.?

Here are 6 steps that you can take to advocate for yourself:??

1. Know Where Your Skills Fit?

Before speaking up, take a step back and think about where your skills can actually make a difference. What are the business's current challenges? What opportunities might you be able to help with? For example, if you're great with data analysis and see inefficiencies in the reporting process, that's your moment to shine. By aligning your skills with the company's goals, you'll have a much stronger case.?

2. Start the Conversation Carefully?

Timing is everything. Choose a good moment—like a one-on-one meeting or after you've just wrapped up a successful project—to bring it up. Instead of saying, "I'm not being used to my full potential," frame it in a way that focuses on how you can help the business. For example, you could say, "I've noticed we could improve our reporting processes, and I have some ideas that could save time and reduce errors."?

This approach shows you're thinking about the business, not just your own advancement.?

3. Point to Your Past Wins

Advocating for yourself is easier when you've already proven your value. Talk about what you've achieved so far. Maybe you improved a process or led a project that made an impact. You could say, "In the last few months, I helped streamline our onboarding process, which cut training time by 15%. I'd love to apply my skills in other areas."?

This shows you have a track record of making things happen and can deliver again.?

4. Offer Solutions, Not Just Problems?

Don't just say you have a skill—show how it can be used. Be proactive and bring concrete ideas to the table. If you have strong communication skills, suggest running team workshops or presentations that can improve performance. Offering solutions shows you're serious about making a difference.?

5. Be Open to Feedback?

Your manager might need time to think things through or offer feedback. Be open to their suggestions and stay flexible. Just because changes don't happen immediately doesn't mean they won't happen later.?

6. Build Relationships

Your skills won't be noticed in a vacuum. Build relationships across teams and with key decision-makers. Engage in cross-functional projects and stay visible. The more people see what you bring to the table, the more likely they'll think of you when opportunities arise.?

Advocating for yourself is not about being pushy!?

Rather, it's about showing how your skills can help the business succeed. ?

Be strategic, focus on solutions, and stay persistent. ?

Over time, you'll create opportunities that match your abilities and goals.?

Are you avoiding feedback?

Are you nervous that your feedback might hurt someone's feelings or be demotivating for them?

Would you like to learn how to give feedback properly and effectively?

If so, please join me on October 31st?at 12:00pm EST.

I am donating my time to Victim Services Toronto to share with you practical ways to give both positive and constructive feedback.

For just a $20 donation, you’ll learn one of the most important leadership skills.

Thanks to my clients?Darla Khawaja?and?Stephen Hayward?at Project X Ltd. for sponsoring this incredible initiative!

They are not only leaders in the data analytics field but also people who care deeply about the world around them!

Now that is great leadership!