Get Up, Stand Up: Advocating for Yourself and Others

🎶 “Get up, stand up, stand up for your rights…” 🎶

Bob Marley had it right. Advocacy isn’t just about personal empowerment—it’s about making sure voices are heard, whether it’s your own or someone else’s.

Have you ever had a moment where you should have spoken up but didn’t? Maybe a boss dismissed your idea, a coworker took credit for your work, or someone in your team was being overlooked.

It happens more than we’d like to admit. But here’s the truth: if you don’t advocate for yourself, no one else will. And if you’re in a position to advocate for others, stepping up can make all the difference.

The Two Sides of Advocacy

1. Self-Advocacy (Standing Up for Yourself)

Self-advocacy is about making sure your voice is heard and your needs are met in a way that is clear, confident, and professional. It’s not about being aggressive or defensive—it’s about ensuring fair treatment and taking control of your career, opportunities, and well-being.

When you advocate for yourself, you:

✔ Gain respect from colleagues and leaders

✔ Set boundaries and expectations for how you want to be treated

✔ Improve your ability to negotiate and problem-solve

✔ Create a workplace where people feel safe to speak up

2. Advocating for Others (Leading with Integrity)

Leadership isn’t just about standing up for yourself—it’s about making sure others aren’t left behind. Not everyone has the confidence or ability to speak up, but that doesn’t mean they don’t deserve to be heard.

Ways to advocate for others:

🔹 Call out unfairness when you see it

🔹 Amplify voices that are being ignored

🔹 Encourage and support colleagues who lack confidence

🔹 Create a culture where speaking up is valued

How to Strengthen Your Advocacy Skills

1️⃣ Know Your Values – Advocacy becomes easier when your actions align with your principles. If fairness, integrity, and respect matter to you, let them guide your approach.

2️⃣ Develop Self-Awareness – Understand your strengths, weaknesses, and emotional triggers so you can approach situations calmly and effectively.

3️⃣ Build Confidence – You don’t need to be the loudest in the room, but believing in your own worth makes it easier to stand firm.

4️⃣ Know Your Rights and Options – Whether it’s workplace policies or professional expectations, knowing where you stand gives you leverage.

5️⃣ Strengthen Your Communication Skills:

• When to speak up – Timing matters. Pick your battles wisely.

• How to speak up – Be direct, calm, and professional.

• Crucial Conversations – Master techniques for handling difficult discussions.

• DiSC and Communication – Understand different styles to tailor your message.

• Avoiding defensiveness – Advocacy isn’t about proving you’re right—it’s about creating fair solutions.

Common Workplace Scenarios Where Advocacy Matters

🔹 Your boss or a coworker consistently dismisses your ideas

👉 Instead of staying silent, say:

“I’d love to explore this idea further—can we take a moment to discuss it?”

🔹 You’re assigned extra work without recognition

👉 Address it with confidence:

“I’ve noticed I’ve taken on additional responsibilities. Can we discuss how to balance the workload fairly?”

🔹 You’re excluded from key meetings or decisions

👉 Request inclusion:

“I’d like to be involved in these discussions so I can contribute effectively—would it be possible to join future meetings?”

🔹 A teammate is being ignored or spoken over (Advocating for Others)

👉 Step in:

“I think [Name] had a great point—let’s give them space to finish their thought.”

🔹 A junior employee is being treated unfairly (Advocating for Others)

👉 Help create a more inclusive space:

“I’ve noticed [Name] isn’t being included in these opportunities. Can we make sure everyone has a chance to contribute?”

Practice Advocacy to Make It Second Nature

Advocacy is a skill that improves with practice. If speaking up feels uncomfortable, start small. Look for low-risk situations to assert yourself, and over time, you’ll build the confidence to stand up when it truly matters.

And remember: advocacy isn’t just about getting what you want. It’s about doing the right thing—for yourself, for your colleagues, and for the kind of workplace you want to be a part of.

Final Thought

If you don’t advocate for yourself, who will?

And if you don’t advocate for others, who will?

Make your voice heard. Set the standard for how you want to be treated. Lead by example.

Your future self—and the people around you—will thank you.