Activating Women’s History Month: The Spectrum of Self-Advocacy
Learnings from a Civil Rights Investigator
Self-advocacy is hard. Especially in the workplace. And always when your rights may be affected or when your pay is at issue.
While countless articles are covering “things you need to know” or “top [random number of] tips” to effective self-advocacy, I’m curious how many authors actually have insight into what self-advocacy really means, particularly when the circumstances affect one’s livelihood and consequences can be life-altering.
Having investigated and resolved hundreds of internal and formal external harassment and discrimination cases, I’ve gained invaluable insight on people and their problems, both at work and in life.
To kickoff reflection on the significance of Women’s History Month, I’ve started by celebrating the lessons I’ve learned from hearing and helping many strong and sometimes under-resourced voices of women I’ve encountered throughout my journey.
What I’ve learned is that self-advocacy is a spectrum. And it has to be focused and practiced, like any other skill.
How you self- advocate is the cornerstone of difficult conversations, and can either buttress or break your argument.
How you self- advocate involves strategy, timing, communication style, and understanding and presentation of facts. And above all, honesty.
Poring over hundreds of complex stories from different women and groups about unfair treatment, unequal pay, sexual harassment, and intimidation from peers and bosses — shift managers to CEOs — I’ve helped people document their stories of workplace success, loss, betrayal, devaluation and potential discrimination by putting keystrokes to paper, as I bore witness to the spectrum of self-advocacy.
Here are my top learnings on the spectrum of self-advocacy from the bravest women I’ve met:
- Identify a system of unequal bargaining power (UBP), whether real or perceived. And, understand that both kinds of power have the capacity to help and harm. Want a simple workplace example? When one person or group has greater availability of resources, including status or position
- Know your own voice, which comes over time developing one’s self-awareness
- Sort the facts. Know the rules and guardrails. Communicate your beliefs tied to facts, and the direct impact it has.
- Raise questions. But avoid making early conclusions.
- Seek out a strategic ally, not an advocate
- Create physical and emotional space to listen
- The soundest, not loudest, voice is best understood
- Appreciate wants versus needs. Prioritize needs over wants.
By celebrating the advancement and contributions of women past and present during this month, we also recognize the courage required throughout their own journeys of self-advocacy.
