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The Subtle Art of Advocating for Your Own Advancement

coaching professional development Jun 23, 2021

Key Takeaways

  • Advocating for yourself is a skill that takes time to develop.

  • Advancement does not just refer to promotion and compensation; it includes developing new skills and abilities that make your more effective in your role.

  • Consider enlisting the help of a mentor or coach to provide you with support when navigating discussions about your career goals and development.

So, you want to talk with your manager about career advancement, but you are nervous.  What to do? 

For those seeking growth at work, it is important to understand that advancement is more than salary increases and promotions. Advancing in one’s career could entail gaining additional skills that will help you be more effective in your current role or prepare you to take on a new assignment. Advancement could also mean benefiting from the support of a coach whose primary goal is to help you develop as a leader.

Regardless of your particulars, the common denominator in any situation concerning advancement is support. You need help getting there, and that is what makes it hard.

Advocating for yourself in the workplace is not easy for many reasons, and there are a lot of factors to take into consideration. While some of these factors are unique to each person (e.g., social anxieties, self-reliance/pride, financial insecurity, risk aversion, etc.), there are a few universal strategies you can utilize to make the process easier.

Here are our top recommendations as you initiate discussions with your superior(s) about your own professional advancement:

Consider your own needs as well as the needs of your employer.

  • In your pitch, be sure to include benefits to your superior(s). Setting your intentions to not only be self-motivated but team-oriented will ultimately help you get what you want.

Rely on data, not feelings.

  • Do your homework. Research what others have done, pull reports and insights on your performance, and do your best to focus on what will be best for everyone - not just you.

Do not expect immediate results.

  • Advancement is not accomplished with the flip of a switch. It takes time and it is a process. Help your superior(s) by developing a timeline with milestones along the way. This will ensure solid communication throughout the process while also keeping you in the driver’s seat.

Enlist the support of a coach.

  • A change / career coach can help you clarify your professional goals and identify any development needs based on your desired future state. They may also recommend lifestyle changes to improve your health and well-being and prepare you for successful change, growth, and high performance.

Have more questions about how best to approach career advancement? Contact Apogy today and experience firsthand the benefits of having a coach on your side!

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