Make a career advancement pitch that sings ??

Welcome to Quick Confidence! This weekly letter delivers a spritz of stories, tips and actions that will build your confidence and power. Each tip bolsters confidence in your body, mind, and relationships so you can lead yourself and others to greatness. Quick Confidence is also a book! Get your copy to carry confidence wherever you go.?

Ever had a career realization that was a total shock to your system once it hit you? Like… why didn't anyone tell me this?!

Earlier in my consulting career, that happened to me. Sitting in my performance review, I mustered the courage to tell my manager that I felt capable of taking on more responsibility and wanted to advance to a more senior level. She looked me right in the eyes and replied, "What did you have in mind? What strengths would you be highlighting? What kind of impact do you plan to make?"

Embarrassingly, I didn't have a clear and focused answer to any of those questions. Gaah!

As that conversation stuttered and stalled to a close, she looked a little sorry for me and said, "Selena, let me tell you a tough lesson I've learned. If you don't know what you bring to the table, you often don't get a seat there."

BOOM! ?? Realization unlocked.

Not only had I failed to make a compelling pitch—painting a picture of what the future could be—I hadn’t done the work of highlighting my value! I didn’t have a sense of my own merit or results, and yet I expected my boss to be able to identify them and “sense how best to use” them. No wonder that conversation was a flop.

Chances are you'll find yourself in a situation where you need to make a case for your advancement. When that moment comes, I want to help you feel confident and prepared. And… very hard to say no to!

Quick Confidence Tips for Making an Irresistible Career Advancement Pitch

1. Interpersonal: De-risk it. Did you know the first automobiles in the US were called “horseless carriages”? This naming choice leveraged the familiar term “carriage” to ease people into the new concept of automobiles. Using “cars” or “vehicles” right away might have made this innovation seem too unfamiliar and risky for early adopters to embrace. The takeaway? When proposing a new role or change, think about how you can make it feel more familiar. Is there a similar role in another department? Are competitors hiring for the same role you’re proposing? How can your pitch be de-risked to seem less untested or strange? Discussing your next step as an extension of your current work can also help. For example, describe the new role as a "perfect progression of my current work" or "a natural next step" that broadens impact by building on your existing contributions. When your proposal feels familiar, it helps others support you.
2. Mindset: Marry data with the “human side”. My recent interview with an incredible business leader revealed that the best career pitches blend data with the human element. Add in an excellent track record, and you have yourself a combination that's hard to refuse. So, think about how you can merge quantitative data (employees trained, retention rates, on-time deliverables, etc.) with the human impact (increased employee engagement, culture improvements, new career paths, etc.). This approach appeals to both logical and intuitive decision-makers and shifts the focus from "ME" to "WE."
3. Embodied: Convey bottled enthusiasm. Nobody is drawn to an apathetic candidate. So bring conviction to your pitch! You don’t need grandiose actions to express that excitement simmering beneath the surface. It can be as simple as incorporating genuine smiles when speaking about ways your advancement could make an impact, enunciating words of particular importance, and emphasizing key points with slight volume increases to show conviction. Equally important is to be ready to navigate skeptical questions with confidence. Some questions you should always be ready for include: Why you? Why now? Why this area of focus? What’s the ROI? With unbottled enthusiasm, your audience will feel your connection, readiness, and belief in your cause.

In every step of your career, the ability to articulate your value and vision is crucial. Whether you're proposing a new role, seeking a promotion, or aiming to lead a project, remember that confidence, clarity, and connection are your best tools. By embracing these principles, you're not just making a pitch; you're sharing a vision of the future where your contribution is invaluable. Let's move forward with the confidence to showcase our strengths and the determination to achieve our goals.

What's one step you can take this week to better articulate your value in your professional journey?

Looking for your next keynote or workshop facilitator? Then you should consider booking me! I deliver empowering and creative speaking engagements that equip teams with the practical tools and confidence-building advice needed to advance careers and lead with impact.

My keynote speeches and workshops incorporate action learning and improv techniques to provide forward-thinking strategies that can be implemented immediately.

My experience speaking to professionals spans a range of industries, some of my clients, include: The World Bank, Under Armour, Microsoft, Harvard University, and Johnson & Johnson. Don't miss out on this opportunity to level up your organization’s leadership skills, book me today for your next keynote or workshop!