Why Self-Advocacy and Bias for Action Are Essential for Career Success

When I was starting as a young professional, I got some advice that, at the time, sounded pretty solid: "Just keep your head down, do great work, and everything else will sort itself out." The message was clear: focus on your tasks, knock it out of the park, and the good stuff—promotions, cool opportunities, recognition—would naturally come your way.

And you know what? I followed that advice for years. I poured everything I had into my work, went above and beyond, and consistently delivered. Most of my managers and leadership teams were awesome, which was a huge plus. But in my coaching practice, I've met so many people who kept waiting for that "everything else" to happen, and it just… didn't. Promotions lagged, exciting opportunities sailed right past them, and their amazing contributions often flew under the radar.

That's when it hit me: the "heads-down" approach, while well-intentioned, had a major flaw. Sure, working hard and being dedicated are super important, but they're not the whole story. To really crush it in your career, you need to pair that hard work with a healthy dose of self-advocacy and a bias for action.

So, What's Self-Advocacy All About?

Think of self-advocacy as your personal hype-person. It's about confidently speaking up for yourself and all the cool things you've achieved. It means communicating your value, actively looking for opportunities, and negotiating for what you deserve. And let's be clear: this isn't about being arrogant or boastful. It's about owning your worth and ensuring your incredible contributions receive the right spotlight.

In today's super-competitive workplace, it's easy to get lost in the noise. Your boss might not catch every single amazing thing you do, and your colleagues might not always be your biggest cheerleaders. If you don't advocate for yourself, who will?

To that end, how does a “Bias for Action” help?

Having a bias for action means taking the initiative. It's about identifying problems, brainstorming solutions, and then taking actual steps to move things forward for your team, business, leader or all of the above! This isn't about being reckless or impulsive; it's about being decisive and focused on business results.

Companies absolutely love employees who take charge and get things done. By showing you have a bias for action, you can totally position yourself as a leader and a problem-solver—someone everyone can count on to deliver.

The Winning Combo: Self-Advocacy + Bias for Action

When you mix self-advocacy with a bias for action, you become an unstoppable force. You gain the power to steer your own career, drive your own success, and literally create the life you've always dreamed of.

Ready to Level Up? Here's How:

Keep an "Awesome Stuff I Did" List: Seriously, track all your wins and contributions. You'll be surprised how much you’ve accomplished!

Speak Up (Confidently!): Don't hold back on sharing your brilliant ideas with your boss and teammates.

Hunt for Opportunities: Actively seek out ways to challenge yourself and tackle new projects.

Network Like a Pro: Build connections with people who can genuinely help you move forward in your career. More on this in a different week

Believe in Your Amazing Self: Confidence is key. You've got this!

Remember this: Your career is your journey. Don't sit around waiting for someone else to recognize how awesome you are or hand you opportunities on a silver platter. Take control of your career by advocating for yourself and taking action to build the future you want!