Tips to Support Eas in Career Development

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

Are You Stalling Your Own Career Growth? You’re ready for the next big step—whether it’s a promotion or a new opportunity elsewhere—but something is holding you back. It’s not a lack of ambition, qualifications, or capability. It’s the concern that there’s no one to backfill your role. This is especially challenging if you want to move up within the same company. You’ve become indispensable, and that can feel more like an obstacle than an advantage. Leadership sees your value right where you are. If you’re feeling stuck because your current role depends too much on you, consider these three strategies: 1. Develop Your Successor Now Proactively mentor and upskill a team member who could take on key aspects of your role. This not only helps you, but it also demonstrates strategic foresight and leadership—qualities that make you an even stronger candidate for advancement. 2. Redefine ‘Value’ in Your Organization Being indispensable in your current position can limit mobility. Shift the perception of your value from doing the work to elevating the organization. Communicate how you can drive impact at a higher level and how a well-planned transition benefits the company long-term. 3. Make the Case for a Structured Transition Rather than waiting for leadership to solve the backfill issue, present a clear transition plan. Show how your move can be managed effectively—whether through interim solutions, process documentation, or a phased transition. Executives want solutions, not roadblocks. One of my clients expressed wanting to stay at her current organization, but she felt trapped—she was ready for the next level, but leadership hesitated to move her because there was no clear successor. We worked together to identify a high-potential team member she could mentor while documenting key processes to ensure a smooth transition. Concurrently we worked on a way she could pitch herself into a newly created role around her skillset that would serve a need for the organization. (In my Career Velocity program we call that "Write & Pitch Your Job Description." It worked!) By proactively presenting a succession plan, she shifted leadership’s perception of her from indispensable in her role to indispensable to the company’s future. Within months, she secured the promotion, confident her team was set up for success. Staying stuck isn’t an option for high performers. The best leaders don’t just fill roles—they build pathways for future success. If you want to move up, start paving the way today. #CareerVelocity #QualifiedIsntEnough #jobs

Career tip for those Early in Career: ✨a series ✨ Advocating for yourself in the workplace is essential for career growth and success. Here are 4 key things to know (and what I’ve learned through my own journey thus far): 1️⃣ Speak Up with Confidence Your perspective matters! Don’t hesitate to share your ideas or insights during meetings or discussions. Advocating for your contributions not only highlights your value but also builds your confidence over time. To do this, you don’t have to block other people’s voice — part of this skill is knowing when, where and how to speak up. Mastering this will set you apart. 2️⃣ Set Clear Boundaries Know your limits and communicate them. Whether it’s managing workload or addressing unrealistic expectations, advocating for your well-being helps maintain balance and ensures you can deliver your best work. I’ve found when I’m super overwhelmed it shows in how I communicate — taking a step back with clear boundaries will do more good for you. 3️⃣ Track and Showcase Your Achievements Keep a record of your wins—big or small. Highlighting your accomplishments during performance reviews or casual conversations with your manager (peers, other leaders) this demonstrates your impact and sets you up for opportunities. 4️⃣ Build a Support Network Advocacy isn't a solo journey. Build relationships with mentors, sponsors, allies, and peers who can amplify your voice and advocate for you when you're not in the room. 💡Advocacy is about finding your voice and ensuring it’s heard in a way that aligns with your values and goals. It’s a skill worth mastering! What are your top tips for self-advocacy? I'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments. ⬇️ #theBOLDjourney #EarlyInCareer

I recently had a conversation with a mentee who’s exploring how to move into a new department—and it sparked one of my favorite career development topics: advocating for yourself where you are to get where you want to go. We talked about how you don’t always have to wait for a new title to gain new experiences. Sometimes the best way to grow is to stretch within your current role. Here are a few strategies I shared that can make a real difference: ⭐️ Ask for exposure: Let your manager know the types of work or skills you’re hoping to develop. You might be surprised what’s available if they know you’re interested. ⭐️ Volunteer strategically: Whether it’s a cross-functional project, mentoring a new hire, or supporting a team pilot, these are opportunities to grow your skills and your visibility. Keep raising your hand. ⭐️ Document everything: Track what you’ve worked on outside your core duties—it builds your internal brand and helps connect the dots on your resume when you’re ready to make a move. ⭐️ See a need, fill a need: one of my favorite past managers, Jorge Tapia encouraged me to look and act on areas of opportunity within our function that would make things better. Sometimes this means coming up with a plan and getting buy in while other times it could be just fixing things you find along the way. If you’re feeling stuck, don’t underestimate the power of having a conversation with your manager. Advocating for yourself isn’t about asking for special treatment—it’s about being clear on where you want to grow and how you can add value along the way. What are some other ways you've been able to gain experiences while in your current role to pave the way for your next move?