Self-Advocacy Turns Into Systems Change
Why Asking for What We Need Is the First Step Toward Advocating for the Cause We Believe In
Self-advocacy is a muscle we must strengthen as we overcome systemic barriers. Gates exist everywhere, with locks that tighten or loosen depending on the privileges you hold—or lack. Every time we navigate through one, we have an opportunity to unlock it for the person behind us. By weakening these holds, we build bridges toward whole-system change.
Most of these gates are designed to maintain power at the top. However, some serve as milestones to assess readiness before granting greater responsibilities. Learning to evaluate them helps you distinguish between exclusionary barriers and legitimate growth markers. When a gate exists solely to maintain "power-over" structures, you can use specific tools to advocate for moving past it.
1. Know Your Rights
Employees’ rights are not a joke; they are there to protect you. That said, they are imperfect. Because they originate from U.S. federal and state government offices, it is safe to assume they were written through the lens of white patriarchal power. Despite their limitations, they provide a shared-language launching point for conversation.
For instance, did you know there are laws protecting your time to pump breast milk while at work? You can advocate for your time, privacy, and inclusion during this phase of life. Knowledge is power. Understanding employee rights is the first step in effective workplace self-advocacy.
2. Know Your Organization’s Policies and Values
Understand your organization’s policies, procedures, values, and mission. Use this knowledge as leverage to hold your supervisor accountable. This demonstrates mutual investment in the organization and a desire to improve its culture. It can also help you secure the support, flexibility, or access you need.
If your company states that it values inclusion but continues to hire outside consultants rather than asking existing team members for input on annual events, point out this contradiction. Advocate for the role and influence you deserve based on those stated values. This approach fosters an inclusive workplace culture where every voice matters.
3. Communicate Your Boundaries—and Repeat Them
Although "boundaries" is a buzzword, most people struggle to implement them in their working lives. Get grounded in your what and why. Be clear, be kind, and repeat yourself.
You do not have to answer emails after work hours. You do not have to take on projects outside your scope of work. This may take practice and testing, but repetition will establish the boundaries you need to live a full life. Setting healthy boundaries is crucial for preventing burnout among middle managers and coordinators.
4. Ask for More
When you feel ready for more responsibilities, better benefits, or greater input into projects, it may be up to you to communicate that. Enter review meetings confident and prepared. While this may just be another routine review for your supervisor, it is your opportunity to level up.
Be direct about the workload you manage and confident about the future you see for yourself. Anticipate questions your supervisor might ask and pause to give thoughtful answers. If you need to regroup and schedule a follow-up meeting, that is okay. This shows maturity and deep investment in your role. Effective career advancement often requires proactive communication.
From Self-Advocacy to Mission Advocacy
Advocating for the job description, boundaries, work culture, and benefits package you deserve is training ground for leadership. As you move up in your career, you will be asked to advocate for your team, projects, events, and organizational missions.
DEI was never about meeting a target number; it was about cultural change, true equity, and safety in the workplace. Those with strong self-advocacy muscles showed up for those with less privilege and proximity to power. They are still in the good fight. As some businesses have abandoned anti-racism work, harm has increased, and in some cases, revenue has been lost.
People grounded in self-advocacy understand this is a long game. If you care about your rights, you care about all rights. We can speak up for the colleague down the hall. We can build lasting teams. We can accomplish our missions because our hearts are in it and our feet are steady. We know the truth: self-advocacy turns into mission advocacy. This is about sustaining our own lives so we can further advance those we serve.
About the Author: I am a career coach specializing in leadership development and self-advocacy for coordinators and middle managers. My values are rooted in accessibility and empowerment, helping professionals navigate workplace dynamics with confidence and clarity.
