Advocacy Is Leadership: Why Your Voice Matters More Than Permission
Why staying silent about your accomplishments costs you more than you realize.
For a long time, many of us were taught that hard work speaks for itself—that if we kept our heads down, delivered excellence, and stayed reliable, someone would notice. Someone would advocate for us. Someone would tap us on the shoulder and say, “It’s your turn.”
But advocacy doesn’t work that way.
I often say this when talking about self-advocacy, especially with women and administrative professionals:
When you go to the doctor, you don’t sit on the table and wait for them to tell you what’s wrong. You speak up. You explain what you’re feeling. You advocate for yourself. You are your biggest advocate, and no one can do it better than you.
That truth applies far beyond the doctor’s office.
Advocacy Is Not Arrogance
Advocacy is not about being the loudest voice in the room or demanding recognition. It’s about clarity. It’s about knowing your value, understanding your impact, and being willing to speak when it matters.
Too often, women are conditioned to wait. Wait to be asked. Wait to be acknowledged. Wait until we feel “ready.” But readiness doesn’t come from silence. It comes from action.
Advocacy is leadership in motion.
The Cost of Staying Quiet
I’ve spent years working alongside incredibly capable professionals who were indispensable to their organizations, yet invisible in perception. They carried teams, solved problems, and created stability—all while hoping their work would speak loudly enough on its own.
The truth is, excellence without advocacy often leads to burnout, frustration, and missed opportunity.
When you don’t speak up, others fill in the narrative for you. When you don’t name your contributions, they can be overlooked. When you don’t advocate for your growth, it’s easy to remain exactly where you are.
Self-Advocacy Is a Skill, Not a Personality Trait
Some people believe advocacy comes naturally to confident people. I don’t believe that.
Advocacy is a skill you develop by practicing three things:
- Clarity about what you bring to the table
- Language to articulate your value
- Courage to use your voice, even when it feels uncomfortable
You don’t have to wait for validation to know you’re doing meaningful work. Recognition from others feels good, but it cannot be the foundation of your confidence. Sometimes, you have to pause, acknowledge your own growth, and pat yourself on the back.
That matters.
Advocacy Creates Space for Others
One of the most powerful outcomes of self-advocacy is that it gives others permission to do the same. When you speak up, you normalize confidence. When you claim your seat at the table, you make the table bigger.
Advocacy is not just about advancement. It’s about impact. It’s about shaping environments where voices are heard, contributions are valued, and leadership is shared.
That’s why I believe advocacy is not optional. It’s essential.
Start Where You Are
You don’t have to overhaul your life or career overnight to become a stronger advocate. Start small.
- Speak up in the meeting.
- Share the outcome you influenced.
- Ask the question you’ve been holding back.
- Name the growth you’re ready for.
Advocacy begins the moment you decide that your voice matters.
Because it does.
You are your biggest advocate—and no one can do it better than you.
