Mastering the Art of Self-Advocacy: A Recap of NYWICI’s ‘Next Level You’ Event
If you’ve ever felt unsure about how to talk about your accomplishments without sounding boastful or awkward, this event was the game-changer you’ve been waiting for. At the Next Level You: Own Your Success event, hosted by NYWICI and moderated by Jackie Hyland, Associate Director of Corporate Affairs, Sustainability at KPMG US, attendees were given an invaluable toolkit on how to communicate their success with confidence. Leadership Development Expert and Coach, Laura Weldy, was the star of the session, guiding us through the process of owning our narrative and becoming unapologetically confident in sharing our professional achievements.
From Self-Doubt to Self-Advocacy: Laura Weldy’s Journey to Empowering Women
Laura’s journey to becoming a leadership coach stems from her own struggles with advocating for herself early in her corporate career. As a self-proclaimed “girl’s girl,” Laura is passionate about helping women get ahead by teaching them how to articulate their value in the workplace. She discussed how women are often socialized to be seen, not heard, and encouraged attendees to “unlearn” these outdated beliefs. By shifting our mindset, we can break down the barriers that often hold us back in our careers.
The Confident Communication Formula: A Simple Framework to Own Your Success
One of the most impactful takeaways from the event was Laura’s Confident Communication Formula, a four-step framework designed to help you effectively communicate your achievements and stand out in the workplace. The formula consists of:
- Consistency: Communicate your value regularly, not just during performance reviews. Just like making small deposits into a bank account, this ensures that your contributions are top of mind when decisions are being made.
- Clarity: Be clear about why your work matters and how it aligns with company goals. This helps others quickly understand the impact of your achievements.
- Underscore: Drive home the significance of your work by tying it back to a broader organizational goal. For example, rather than just mentioning a project you led, explain how it contributed to increasing revenue or improving company morale.
- Expectations: Establish clear expectations. Setting expectations ensures that your conversation is focused and productive, rather than just venting. By discussing what needs to happen next and what is expected, you can position yourself as someone who is forward-thinking and goal-oriented.
Tackling Common Pitfalls in Self-Advocacy
One of the key challenges many women face is failing to document their wins as they go, which makes it difficult to advocate for themselves when it counts. Laura pointed out that many women forget to “tell their story” – an essential step in the promotion process. From documenting your accomplishments to talking about them, sharing your success with others is crucial. Don’t forget: telling your story can help you not only secure the promotion you deserve but also get the mentorship you need to climb the ladder.
Balancing Confidence and Humility: The Key to Effective Communication
Finding the right balance between confidence and humility can be tricky. Laura explained that the key difference between being humble and being passive is that humility still communicates value, whereas passivity does not. It’s not about bragging – it’s about confidently sharing the impact you’ve made without diminishing its importance. Jackie added that understanding your audience is crucial in adapting your tone and approach, whether you’re speaking to a colleague, manager, or an executive.
Tips for Adapting Your Story to Different Contexts
Laura provided a helpful strategy for adapting your personal narrative depending on the situation. She suggested having multiple versions of your story:
- Tier 1: A high-level version for casual networking conversations.
- Tier 2: A more detailed version for interviews and professional settings.
- Tier 3: A personal story filled with anecdotes, tailored to interviews or situations where you need to showcase your personal brand.
Taking Charge of Your Own Promotion Process
Laura’s advice on how to approach the promotion process was a revelation. She encouraged women to take ownership of the process by documenting their achievements, telling their story, and socializing their goals. Don’t wait for your boss to notice – make sure they know what you’ve done and why it matters.
Final Advice: Be Bold, Be Unapologetic, Own Your Achievements
The session ended with a call to action: be bolder than you think you can be. Be unapologetic about taking credit for the things you contribute to. Your career is built on the perception of your work, so make sure you’re communicating your achievements consistently. As Laura put it, assume that all the work you do is invisible unless you actively talk about it.
