Here’s a largely hidden career fact: We are rarely in the room when our career is decided for us. Behind closed doors, senior leaders make decisions that determine the opportunities we are given to pursue. Teachers, supervisors, coaches, parents, and directors exert this influence when we are not present to advocate for ourselves. We are highly dependent on the advocates in the room to propel us forward by arguing for our merits and the challenges we are ready for.
Thanks for this article. It is such an important point and one I didn’t fully embrace until a couple of decades into my career. It takes courage to build advocacy amongst people two, three or more levels above you on the job hierarchy.
In my case, I am fully convinced that if I did better at this in my 20s and 30s, it could’ve positively impacted millions of dollars for me.
I thought I could do things alone as long as I had my boss’ approval. But, alas, it takes a village of advocacy to lift a career.
Nobody encouraged me to do it when I was that age. I would have opportunities to speak with some CEOs who could help influence my career. I would talk with them once but I would never follow up and build a relationship after that one conversation. I felt embarrassed and felt like a fraud. Questioning why they would even want to talk with me. There’s a specific opportunity I had with the founder/CEO of a large media company. I didn’t follow up and build the relationship. He is a multi-billionaire now and I know there was opportunity I lost simply because I didn’t build upon the advocacy he originally had for me.
I've got a couple of young relatives that are resisting this advice and think they can go it alone. I think this is partly because young people are largely required to work alone in school. When they join the workforce and need teaming skills they don't have any because it was actively discouraged over their life.
Interesting, Tim. With all the increase emphasis on team-based projects and assignments in American schools over the last dozen years... would have expected this to be a bit more natural for for your young relatives.
Thanks for this article. It is such an important point and one I didn’t fully embrace until a couple of decades into my career. It takes courage to build advocacy amongst people two, three or more levels above you on the job hierarchy.
In my case, I am fully convinced that if I did better at this in my 20s and 30s, it could’ve positively impacted millions of dollars for me.
I thought I could do things alone as long as I had my boss’ approval. But, alas, it takes a village of advocacy to lift a career.
Great stuff.
Did you have anyone specifically encouraging to do it while in your 20s and 30s, Jeff?
Nobody encouraged me to do it when I was that age. I would have opportunities to speak with some CEOs who could help influence my career. I would talk with them once but I would never follow up and build a relationship after that one conversation. I felt embarrassed and felt like a fraud. Questioning why they would even want to talk with me. There’s a specific opportunity I had with the founder/CEO of a large media company. I didn’t follow up and build the relationship. He is a multi-billionaire now and I know there was opportunity I lost simply because I didn’t build upon the advocacy he originally had for me.
I've got a couple of young relatives that are resisting this advice and think they can go it alone. I think this is partly because young people are largely required to work alone in school. When they join the workforce and need teaming skills they don't have any because it was actively discouraged over their life.
Interesting, Tim. With all the increase emphasis on team-based projects and assignments in American schools over the last dozen years... would have expected this to be a bit more natural for for your young relatives.