The Real Challenge of Speaking Up
Having good ideas isn’t enough. Being right isn’t enough. And sadly, working hard, assuming your contributions will naturally be recognized is definitely not enough.
If you’ve ever spoken up in a meeting only to be ignored until someone else repeats your idea and gets credit, then you know exactly what I mean.
Or if you’ve advocated for yourself or your team, only to be met with silence, dismissal, or “We’ll take that into consideration” (knowing full well they won’t), you know how frustrating that is too.
The hard pill to swallow for some is realizing that influence isn’t about volume. It’s about strategy.
It’s not just what you say. It’s how, when, and to whom you say it. If you want to be heard, you need to be intentional about how you position yourself, your ideas, and your voice.
The Difference Between Advocacy & Strategic Advocacy
Most people think advocating for themselves means speaking up more, pushing harder, and/or repeating themselves until someone finally listens.
It doesn’t. Advocacy without strategy is just noise.
Strategic advocacy, on the other hand, is different. It’s about:
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Understanding who holds influence in the room.
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Positioning your ideas in ways that resonate with decision-makers.
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Knowing when and where your voice will have the most impact.
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Cultivating allies so you’re not the only one carrying the message.
Speaking up is easy. Getting heard and driving action is a different skill entirely.
The Five Pillars of Strategic Advocacy
If you want to stop being dismissed, overlooked, or undervalued, these shifts change the game.
1. Build Influence Before You Need It
The biggest mistake people make is waiting until they’re in a tough spot before they start advocating for themselves.
Strategic influence starts long before the conversation happens.
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Build credibility before you need to use it.
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Speak up on smaller issues so your voice is familiar when it matters most.
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Strengthen relationships so that when you advocate, people already trust your perspective.
By the time you need to push for something important, you don’t want to be fighting against an unfamiliar audience.
Thus, advocacy isn’t just about the moment you speak—it’s about the reputation you build over time.
2. Frame Your Ideas Around What Decision-Makers Care About
Too often, we advocate from our perspective: “I want this,” “I need this,” “This would be better for me.”
However, leadership is thinking about business impact, risk, efficiency, and results. If you want them to listen, connect your advocacy to what they prioritize:
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Instead of “I need more resources,” say “Investing in X will improve efficiency by Y% and reduce burnout on the team.”
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Instead of “We need better leadership training,” say “Without proper training, turnover will continue to cost us Z amount per year.”
If you want to know the fastest way to get ignored, frame your ask around what you want.
Frame your ask around what they need, and you have a better chance of getting traction.
Strategic advocacy is less about your agenda and more about aligning your needs with the priorities of the people who can make things happen.
3. Get Other People to Carry the Message With You
Sometimes, the most effective advocacy isn’t about what you say. It’s about who else is saying it.
If you’re the only one championing an idea, it’s easy for leadership to dismiss it. When multiple voices reinforce the same message, they have to pay attention.
Start thinking beyond just your voice:
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Who already has credibility with leadership?
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Who else benefits from the change you’re advocating for?
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How can you position your message so others amplify it?
The goal of strategic advocacy is to build momentum.
4. Master the Timing & Delivery
There’s a difference between making a point and making an impact.
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Know your audience. Some decision-makers respond to directness, while others need diplomacy.
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Assess the moment. Speaking up in a heated discussion can backfire, so sometimes it’s better to plant a seed and follow up later.
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Use questions to create buy-in. Instead of “We need X,” try “How would it impact the business if we implemented X?”
Strategic advocacy isn’t just about being heard. It’s about being effective. Hence, effectiveness requires knowing when to push, when to pause, and when to shift tactics.
5. Manage the Emotional Toll of Advocacy
Advocating for yourself—especially in environments where your voice isn’t always valued—can be draining.
It’s easy to take rejection personally, get discouraged when progress feels slow, and burn out from constantly having to prove your worth.
If you want to keep influencing over the long haul:
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Pick your battles. Not everything is worth your energy. So, focus on what matters most.
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Detach from immediate outcomes. Some conversations won’t go your way, but that doesn’t mean you haven’t planted a seed.
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Find spaces where your voice is valued. If you’re constantly hitting a wall, it may be time to shift environments.
Strategic advocacy takes into consideration thoughtfulness, intentionality, resilience, and wellbeing. As the advocate for your team, your ideas, or yourself, it’s important you remember that you matter too. Thus, strategic advocacy is sustainable advocacy and that means playing the long game.
Your Next Move: Speak with Intention, Advocate with Strategy
So let’s recap.
Self-advocacy is more than just “speaking up.” It’s about:
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Positioning yourself before you need to advocate.
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Aligning your message with what decision-makers care about.
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Building coalitions so you’re not advocating alone.
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Mastering timing, delivery, and emotional resilience.
When you combine clarity, confidence, and strategy, your voice stops being background noise and starts shaping the decisions that impact you.
So, here are some questions to ask yourself.
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Where do you need to advocate for yourself more effectively?
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Who can you start building influence with before you need their support?
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How can you frame your message so it aligns with leadership priorities?
Remember, influence isn’t just about what you say. It’s about how you say it, when you say it, and who’s listening when you do.
The next conversation is coming. Will you be ready?
About Donell Hill (aka “Donnie”) and Life Maximizer
Donell Hill (“Donnie”) is the Founder and CEO of Life Maximizer, a coaching and consulting company dedicated to helping leaders and organizations create meaningful impact while prioritizing well-being and sustainability. Combining over 15 years of experience with a trauma-informed approach, Donnie works with executives, business owners, and rising leaders to develop clarity, resilience, and authentic leadership practices.
Through workshops, coaching, and tailored strategies, Donnie equips his clients with the skills, insights, and practices to lead with confidence, communicate effectively, and cultivate lasting fulfillment in their careers and lives. Life Maximizer has partnered with leaders from companies like Atlassian, Grammarly, Stripe, Instacart, and UCSF to foster cultures of care, trust, and excellence.
Donnie’s mission is simple yet powerful: to see leaders joyfully succeed— to see them well-rested, well-paid, and deeply appreciated—not just for their productivity, but for their humanity.