Advocating for yourself isn’t arrogance. It’s clarity.
Have you ever left a one-on-one or team meeting thinking, “I should’ve said something…”?
Maybe you wanted to highlight the late nights you pulled on a project. Or you had an idea you knew would make the work stronger. Or perhaps you just wanted to ask for what you needed, but the words stuck in your throat.
Self-advocacy is one of those workplace skills no one really teaches you. It can feel awkward, even self-serving. But here’s the truth: if you don’t speak up for yourself, people will assume things are fine as they are.
Visibility doesn’t happen by accident; it happens when you learn to name your contributions and your needs.
The trick is knowing how to say it. And that’s where scripts help. They take the edge off the discomfort and give you language you can adapt until it feels natural.
Here are three to try:
1️⃣ To highlight your contribution without bragging:
“I’m proud of how we handled this project. I focused on [X]—which made [Y outcome] possible.”
→ Simple, specific, and linked to impact.
2️⃣ To ask for support or resources:
“Here’s what I can deliver with the current setup. If we add [X resource], I can also deliver [Y result]. Which option works best?”
→ You’re not complaining; you’re showing trade-offs.
3️⃣ To position yourself for opportunities:
“I’m interested in building more experience in [X area]. If anything comes up where I could contribute or shadow, I’d love to be considered.”
→ Signals ambition without entitlement.
Notice the pattern? Each script is grounded in facts. You’re not overexplaining or apologizing. You’re simply stating what’s true, what’s possible, and what you want.
Because advocating for yourself isn’t about being the loudest voice in the room. It’s about being clear, intentional, and confident enough to shape how others see you.
So here’s the question to sit with this week: Where could one clear sentence change how people understand your value?
Until next time…
Mal
Founder, The Ideas Accelerator
Helping you grow your career with strategic insight and smarter tools.