Advocating for your career is not just empowering, it’s a necessity in the workplace. There will be times when you need to speak up, and doing so with good judgment can prevent potential issues from escalating. While it may be uncomfortable for some, leaving things unaddressed can lead to bigger problems.
There are six specific situations in your career when speaking up with power is crucial:
1) When you’ve been passed over for a promotion
You were excited about the opportunity and knew you were a strong match. You were looking forward to receiving an offer, but instead, you received a rejection email. To make things worse, you discovered that one of your coworkers was offered the position despite having less experience and tenure.
What Not To Do
Don’t be discouraged, it’s natural to feel disappointed. Stay positive! Instead of seeing it as a defeat or failure, think of it as not being the right time or a better opportunity coming soon.
What You Should Do
Ask for feedback from the hiring manager who interviewed you. Send an email thanking him or her for the opportunity, then request a day and time to meet. Let him or her know the purpose of the meeting so you can work on creating a development plan for your future success.
2) When You’ve Experienced a Microaggression or Bias.
Microaggressions are indirect, subtle, or unintentional discrimination against people of a minority group. They can be subtle or blatant. For example, “I thought all of you liked Hip Hop music?” or “Is that your real hair?” Of course, these questions might make you cringe – but take time to assess for intention.
What Not To Do
Do not internalize or allow comments to trigger. The person may not realize how their behavior is being perceived or its impact.
What You Should Do
Assess for intention and frequency of microaggressions. It’s important to be selective about which issues you choose to address.
Option 1: If you choose not to explain. Then be direct and respectfully tell your co-worker these types of questions can be viewed as stereotyping and how it makes you feel.
Option 2: Answer the question, but challenge it so you can create cultural awareness by asking, “Why do you assume that I like Hip Hop?” or “Why do you assume this is not my real hair?” Again, you can respectfully and directly address the comment and use it as an opportunity to educate your co-worker(s) on how their questions could be viewed as stereotyping. Help him or her to understand there are ways to understand cultural differences and minimize the chances of offending or judging others.
3) When your Co-worker or Peer is Disrespectful or Rude
If a coworker is blatantly rude or disrespectful, their behavior must be addressed
immediately. It’s one thing to have a misunderstanding or miscommunication, it’s another
if the behavior is intentionally disrespectful.
What Not To Do
React with anger. Your best course of action is to remain calm and rational.
What You Should Do
Use good judgment to decide if the incident calls for mediation. If so, ask HR or a Manager to participate as a mediation witness. If the behavior was a minor infraction, make the call to address the person on one and come to a respectful understanding. Make sure to document, then notify your manager about the incident and conversation for the record. Also, be mindful that your intention to be direct may not have the outcome you were hoping for.
4) During Your Performance Review
Your performance review can be a great time to put everything out on the table. From current and past performance, career pathing, salary evaluations/increase, to professional development, etc. Maximize the opportunity to get what you need to further your career goals. If you were expecting a favorable review, a raise, or further responsibility and it didn’t happen this can be a letdown.
What Not To Do
Show up for your review unorganized, with a negative attitude, defensive or entitled.
What You Should Do
Ask for what you want. Be prepared with a list of accomplishments for the year, exceeded goals, completed training or projects, recognition, etc. Show that you deserve a raise or recommendation for other projects or internal opportunities to increase your visibility. If your performance needs improvement, remain positive and coachable. Ask for feedback and most importantly, speak up, and ask for support for your professional development and growth.
5) When a Peer or Co-Worker Steals Credit for your Work
Yes, there are dishonest people with a less-than-desirable work ethic who will take credit for others’ work. If you’ve experienced this firsthand, it can be infuriating. However, there are ways to handle your idea of stealing co-workers and come out on top.
What Not to Do
Blow up or confront in front of peers, co-workers, or leadership.
What You Should Do
Go to your manager with proof that the idea was yours so it’s on record where it originally came from. Next, respectfully have a discussion with your co-workers about what they’ve done. Then proceed with caution and establish boundaries. Make it known you will be taking precautions to protect your work to ensure it doesn’t happen again.
6) When you are the target during the blame game.
There is always a coworker or manager who is more than willing to throw someone else under the bus to save themselves. When this happens to you, it can piss you off to no end because now your credibility is on the line. So how do you handle it when the blame game is being played on you?
What Not to Do
Blame others too, or say negative things about the employee that’s doing the blaming. Keep your cool and most importantly, your integrity.
What You Should Do
Explain things clearly. If there is a breakdown in communication, show accountability for your part in the issue. Then seek to understand the other person’s thought process that was responsible for the blaming and address the issue head-on. Offer solutions on how the both of you can proactively work together to prevent further issues from escalating. Get to understand each other’s work or communication style. Working through the conflict and establishing boundaries could possibly create a collaborative working relationship.
Speaking up at work can be empowering if it’s done in a strategic way. You do have power and it’s your voice, use it! Do not be afraid to protect yourself and the career you are working hard to build.
