Primer to Self-Advocacy in the Workplace – Freesumes

Let’s be real: the modern workplace isn’t kind to quiet achievers. And for those who don’t fit the traditional mold, whether because of race, gender, background, or personality, it can feel even more taxing. 

The better news? You don’t have to keep playing by those rules because you have one incredibly powerful asset that can change the game: your voice. 

In this post, we’ll break down how to make your voice matter through practicing self-advocacy at the workplace. 

What is Self Advocacy?

Self-advocacy in the workplace indicates your ability to communicate your needs, preferences, and boundaries to others — your peers, superiors, or clients. It’s about speaking up for yourself, professionally and proactively, so your contributions don’t get overlooked or undervalued.

Let’s face it: not every workplace is designed to give every voice equal airtime. Statistically, women are 14% less likely to get promoted because managers are more likely to underestimate their potential. 

“Women get progressively lower potential scores relative to their actual future performance as we rise up the corporate ladder. So this is going to contribute to a stronger and stronger glass ceiling.” — Professor Kelly Shue, Yale School of Management. 

Similarly,  Black, Asian, mixed-race, and other ethnically diverse employees are almost twice as likely to face pay and promotion cuts this year because their impacts go unnoticed. 

So being a strong advocate for yourself isn’t about being pushy or arrogant — it’s about making sure your value isn’t buried under bias, silence, or systemic blind spots. 

Why is self-advocacy important?

In many professional settings, the adage “your work speaks for itself” no longer holds true. You have to be vocal and visible to get recognized. 

About 45% of UK office-based employees across roles, ages, and genders say they often feel undervalued at work.  The reasons for that are aplenty — from poor performance management programs to uncanny individuals trying to take advantage of your kindness.  Practicing self-advocacy means that you’re “claiming back what’s yours”, rather than allowing others to use your timidness to build up their authority in the workplace. 

Self-advocacy also preserves your mental well-being. By setting clearing boundaries and advocating for your needs — e.g., around workload, flexible hours, or monetary support — you reduce the inevitable feeling of resentment towards work that prolonged stress and burnout creates. 

Lastly, self-advocacy is key to a better workplace culture. Teams that cannot find common ground and draw healthy boundaries often develop toxic behaviors. This inevitably leads to conflict and growing mutual resentment. But when you can freely speak your truth and explain your needs, it sets a precedent for mutual respect and collaboration.

How to Advocate for Yourself Without Feeling Awkward

Just like self-promotion at work, self-advocacy isn’t something shameful or sleezy. On the contrary, it shows your high emotional intelligence and maturity.  

To ensure your message resonates, be intentional with your delivery. A few smart communication techniques can help your self-advocacy sound confident, not confrontational.

Speak Up Facts, Not Feelings

Using evidence, rather than emotions, can make a huge difference when advocating for yourself at work. So, rather than saying “I feel like I deserve a raise because I’ve been doing my work well”, be more specific. For example: 

“I’ve played a key role in shipping two major product updates last month, which now drive an extra $20K in recurring revenue, according to the Product Team. My change failure rate is in the low double-digits, and I’m always atop of other KPIs. Moreover, I’ve trained three junior developers over the last year and completed my Scrum certification. So I’d like to discuss the possibility of becoming an Engineering Manager.” 

This kind of data-packed statement communicates the impacts and outcomes. It shifts the conversation from what you feel to what you’ve achieved.

Tie Your Arguments to Business Goals

People are more likely to agree to your request when they see a clear benefit for themselves, too. So, try to frame your requests as win-wins. 

For example, if you’re pressed to take more responsibilities at work for the same pay, you can turn the situation around and say: 

“I’d love to take on the extra duties. In fact, if I take full ownership of this workflow, we could streamline delivery by X days. However, I would expect a pay increase to compensate for that. Alternatively, you can hire someone new for that position. But that would mean delays right now, plus all the extra hiring costs, which are at least 30% higher than the pay bump I’m requesting.”

Once again, anchor your arguments with data to sound confident, not needy.

Start Small, Then Build Up

You don’t have to go “all in” from day one. That would make most people stressed out and all panicky. Begin practicing in low-stakes situations. For example: 

• Pitch a new workplace initiative to HR 
• Ask for the manager’s feedback in 1:1s
• Volunteer to lead a client meeting 
• Ask to be included in a new project 
• Suggest a process improvement during a team retro
• Request a short meeting to discuss your growth goals for the quarter

Such micro-moments build the muscle you need for bigger conversations. So practice ‘em as often as the occasion comes up! 

Develop Your Self-Advocacy Skills Over Time 

To advocate for yourself like a true champ, you’ll need to build your interpersonal skills and self-confidence. In particular, focus on the next qualities: 

• Emotional regulation: Learn to handle rejection or resistance without mentally falling apart

• Clear communication: Express your thoughts clearly without downplaying your value or apologizing excessively.

• Assertiveness: Know how to state your needs and boundaries firmly but respectfully.

• Active listening: Tune into conversations to give more thoughtful responses and build stronger arguments 

Conclusion 

Self-advocacy is an essential career skill. Without it, you risk getting overshadowed by more confident and vocal peers. Secure your seat at the table by starting small but staying consistent with your efforts. Remember: advocating for yourself isn’t about being difficult—it’s about being deliberate with your worth!