Be Clear on Your Goals: What do you want to achieve in your career? A promotion? Company-funded training? Increased responsibility? Having a clear vision will help you tailor your advocacy efforts.

Document Your Wins: Keep track of your achievements – projects completed, milestones reached, positive feedback received. This concrete evidence demonstrates your value when the time comes to have a conversation with your manager. Note: This is good practice anyway, so that you can keep your CV up-to-date and ready to fly at a minute's notice. This is a good self-leadership habit, because life happens and you don't want to find your CV 20 years out of date and your memory hazy. I update my CV once a month and I work for myself, you just never know when you might need it.

Schedule a Chat: Don't wait for someone to notice your brilliance! Proactively schedule a meeting with your manager to discuss your career goals and aspirations. Come prepared to talk about your accomplishments and how you see yourself contributing further. You're not psychic and neither is your manager. They cannot know what you want your next career step to be if you don't communicate it.

Focus on Solutions: Instead of simply stating your desires, frame the conversation around solutions. "I'm interested in taking on more responsibility, perhaps I could lead the upcoming [project name]?" This shows initiative and strategic thinking.

Highlight Your Value: Confidently articulate how your skills and experience benefit the team and the company. Use data and examples to back up your claims. If you have a cynical manager, you might need to evidence your suitability for the opportunity, which is where all your documented wins can support your business case.

Be Open to Feedback: This conversation is a two-way street. Listen to your manager's feedback and be open to discussing areas for further development.