How to Advocate for Yourself and Manage Up

I spent too many years thinking my boss was responsible for my career. Or the company. Or a magical fairy godmother. I thought it was everyone else’s job to advocate for me. To push me. To help me advance and grow. And I completely missed the fact that it was me. It was always ME. Our job is to be the biggest advocate for our careers. We are in the driver’s seat. And we can’t take a back seat and expect someone else to do the driving. Here are ten ways to start advocating for your career not tomorrow, TODAY: 1️⃣ Take a seat at front of the table, not at the back of the room. Be visible. Log onto that Zoom early, make sure people know you are there. Don’t shrink to the corner of the screen or room. 2️⃣ Raise your hand 🙋🏾♀️ Ask that question. Show you’re engaged and thoughtful and there to contribute. I always ask a question early on in the meeting to build my confidence to contribute more later. 3️⃣ Ask to be put on that assignment Make sure you are working on assignments that are priorities for the company. Especially in this market. 4️⃣ Coach your peers on their work You don’t have to have direct reports to have influence. Guide peers who ask for your help: position yourself for the next level by acting like you are at the next level. 5️⃣ Build a career development plan If your boss won’t help you do this, ask a colleague to be a sounding boarding or a friend outside of work. Understand what your goals are this year and what you want your next two roles to be. 6️⃣ Focus on one new skill you want to build What’s one new skill you want to learn that can help with your career growth? Pick it and commit to it. Block 30 minutes on your calendar daily to work on it. Make this time non negotiable. 7️⃣ Take credit for your work Even if they won’t let you in that meeting, share what you are working on with others. Whether that’s it in 1:1 conversations or in team meetings, make sure you let others know the impact you are making. 8️⃣ Get meaningful feedback If your boss keeps saying you’re killing it or avoids giving your feedback, ask others. Show up with what you think your strengths are and areas of opportunity to get their reactions. 9️⃣ Keep a track of your wins Start a Google doc or grab a notebook, and down all of your wins and the end of every month. This makes it easier to do your self evaluation during performance review time and update your resume. 🔟 Always have your resume ready Whether you are looking for internal or external, always have your resume ready. And make sure it’s not saved on your work lap, especially in this market where layoffs are happening every day. How do you advocate for yourself at work? #leadership #culture #inclusion #MitaMallick

Every manager has a secret they're afraid to share: They want YOU to manage THEM. But most people reject this idea. I've heard all of the excuses: "I don't want to bother them." "Why should I manage up? That's their job." "If they were a good manager, they'd know what I need." It feels backward, unfair, even insulting. But here's what you're missing: Your manager is drowning. Even more than you. They're juggling:  - endless meetings - 8-12 direct reports - pressure from above  - fires they didn't start They don't have time to manage you perfectly. And you're waiting for them to read your mind. This is why careers stall. But there's one subtle shift that changes everything: Stop waiting to be managed well.  Start managing them strategically. This isn't about kissing up or playing politics.  It's about creating the conditions for mutual success. When you manage up effectively: • You get clearer direction and faster decisions • You build trust that opens more doors • You reduce frustration on both sides • You accelerate your career growth Your manager's success directly impacts your success.  When they look good, you look good.  When they win, you win. Managing up is really managing your own career trajectory. In my latest infographic, I break down 5 foolproof strategies: ✓ The communication formula that builds instant credibility ✓ A trick to go from problem-raiser to problem-solver ✓ Systems that highlight your strategic thinking ✓ Why saying "no" makes you invaluable ✓ How to invert your check-ins These strategies work with any manager: • the absentee • the micromanager  • the newly overwhelmed Because you're not trying to change them.  You're changing how you show up. Which approach will you try first? ♻️ Share to help others grab control of their career  🔔 Follow Dave Kline for more career and leadership insights

I've been managed by a best-selling author, the CHRO of a billion dollar gaming co, a CTO and many other powerful personalities: I have 3 suggestions re: managing up. MAKE 1:1s YOURS - Take control of the discussion - Use them time to bring clarity - Your manager wants you to be in charge DON'T BE THE SOURCE OF SURPRISE - Tell them about bad news - Tell them about good news - Do not allow your manager to get caught out DO WORK - Your job is to remove problems - If you can't remove them, offer suggestions - If you can't offer suggestions, offer options - If you can't offer suggestions, then just bring viz