Unlock Your Worth

Level Up Your Self-Advocacy Game

Author

Michele Joseph
May 19, 2025

In partnership with

When was the last time you asked for what you deserve at work? If you're hesitating to answer, you're not alone. Research shows women typically negotiate four times less often than men and ask for roughly 30% less when they do. This week, we're flipping that script. It's time to own our power and get what we deserve! ✨

Today, we're dismantling the barriers that keep us from self-advocacy and equipping you with practical tools to make your case confidently. Your growth matters—not just for your bank account but also for your sense of professional fulfillment.

Why is this so hard? Let's be honest, many of us were socialized to be accommodating, to wait our turn, and to hope our hard work "speaks for itself." But in today’s workplace, being visible equals opportunity. 

The mental roadblocks we face:

  • Fear of being perceived as "aggressive" or "difficult" 😬

  • Imposter syndrome kicking in ("Am I really good enough?") 😟

  • Waiting for the perfect moment (spoiler: it doesn't exist!) ⏳

  • Prioritizing team harmony over personal advancement ⚖️

Here’s a truth bomb: Self-advocacy isn't selfish—it's strategic. When you communicate your value, you're helping your company make smart decisions and investing in proven talent – YOU!   

Your 3-Point Self-Advocacy Playbook

  • Glow-Up Your "Brag File": Start a folder (digital or physical) to stash your wins. Think: positive feedback, project successes, numbers that prove your impact ($, %, time saved), and new skills. Consider this your "receipts" of awesomeness.   

  • Know Your Worth: Do your research! Use sites like Glassdoor and Payscale to get the intel on your market value. Chat with recruiters. Knowledge is power. 💪 

  • Time It Right: Think strategically about when to have that conversation. Good times include after crushing a big project, during reviews, when you take on more, or when your company is killing it financially. Bonus tip: Tuesday mid-morning is prime time!   

The Conversation Blueprint

Opening Script:

"I'd love to chat about my compensation/role and how my contributions align with growth opportunities. Can we schedule 30 minutes?" 

During the Meeting:

  1. Express gratitude: "I've valued the opportunities to grow here, especially [specific example]."

  2. Present your case: "Over the past [timeframe], I've [specific accomplishment], which resulted in [quantifiable outcome]. Additionally, I've taken on [new responsibilities] and developed expertise in [relevant skills]."

  3. Make a clear ask: "Based on these contributions and market research showing the pay range for my role and performance level is [range], I'd like to discuss adjusting my compensation to [specific number]." OR "Given these accomplishments, I believe I'm performing at the [next level] and would like to discuss a promotion to [specific role]."

  4. Invite dialogue: "I'm interested in your perspective on this and would appreciate your feedback."

If You Hear "No":

Ask: "What specific goals should I focus on to make this possible in the future?"   

Get a timeline: "When can we revisit this?"

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Level Up Your Mindset

Self-advocacy is a lifestyle, not a one-time thing. Share your wins (be proud-out-loud), volunteer for visibility, build those relationships (especially with leaders), and find your hype squad. When you rise, we all rise. Period.  

This week’s Power Move: Block off 30 minutes to start your "brag file." Jot down at least 3 killer accomplishments with the receipts (quantifiable results!).   This becomes your evidence base for your next career conversation.

Got a self-advocacy win? Share in the comments! You might inspire someone in our next newsletter! 💖

Until next week, keep Rising & Thriving! ✨

MJ

Career Strategist + Your Biggest Fan 📣

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