How to Advocate for Yourself and Why It Matters
By: Rebecca Scott, Content & Communications Manager, Venture for Canada,
It’s no surprise that non-profits pay less; the average annual salary for those in non-profit is 13% lower than the average salary for Canadian employees in other sectors. Naturally, non-profits attract heart-driven individuals who want to do good work. But, in this economy, doing work for good and getting paid well shouldn’t be an either/or scenario. Let’s be real, when you’re not being paid equitably, whether it’s for the years of experience you bring, the impact you have on the organization you work for, or in comparison to your male counterparts, resentment starts to build.
In my 20’s, I advocated for myself here and there but lacked the wherewithal to do so confidently. Women are conditioned to not ask for too much, to keep themselves small, and to “be the good girl” by not rocking the boat. This narrative only keeps serving the patriarchy (just think about how many of your male coworkers have been praised for being “trailblazers” or “innovators”), but it doesn’t serve you. That’s why it’s so important to challenge this narrative and advocate for yourself.
Now I’m in my 30’s, and I speak up. Here’s everything I’ve learned so you can do the same.
It’s Going to Be Uncomfortable
Advocating for yourself means getting comfortable with being uncomfortable, especially when you aren’t used to speaking up. Something that helped me overcome the fear was to think about how I was going to feel after I had the necessary conversations - proud, satisfied, and confident. Regardless of the outcome, you can stand in your power and be pleased with your effort.
Have the Conversation(s) When You’re Calm
This might seem obvious, but we’ve all been there. Something sets you off, and you have a knee-jerk reaction to message someone at your organization with authority, to quit on the spot, or to schedule an impromptu meeting so you can speak your mind. Don’t do it. It’s so easy to be reactive, but you’ll regret it later. Sleep on it. Maybe even wait a week until you’re in a better headspace. When you’re full of emotion and leading from a place of anger or frustration, you’ve already lost. Your power is in being calm, clear, and focused. That’s how you retain leverage.
Balance Vulnerability With Facts
Being calm doesn’t mean being emotionless. Quite the opposite, in fact: you want to have some distance from that reactive state so you can speak about your emotions in a way that’s not so charged. Be vulnerable, talk about how you feel, but balance those feelings with facts.
For example, let’s say you’re feeling undervalued and unrecognized. So you decide to meet with senior management. Before you have the conversation, prepare a list of points that you want to discuss, like the impact you bring to the organization, the growth you’ve had since your last raise, and your desired salary/title. If your organization has any documents related to salary bands and definitions of job levels, see where you line up and bring that into the conversation as well (it shows you’ve done your homework). Remember to stick to the facts, and regardless of how you feel about the person on the other end, don’t play the blame game — you want to be working with your stakeholders, not against them.
Be Prepared to Show Your ROI
Hopefully, you’ve been documenting the impact you’ve had at the organization you work for. For example, the number of leads you’ve brought in, the goals you’ve surpassed, and the revenue you’ve helped to generate. If not, go back and look at how your work has improved the organization in these areas and add everything to a document (e.g. brand awareness, sponsorships, increase in program participants, mentoring junior staff, expanding the org into a new province, or targeting a new audience). In this document, you can also include testimonials from your colleagues, direct reports, and manager to back up your case.
Lean On Your Support System
Advocating for yourself takes up a lot of energy and increases your mental load. Don’t underestimate that. That’s why it’s important to lean on those around you, like your partner, friends, family, therapist, and even a close colleague. It’s not easy asking for support, but in a circumstance like this, it’s necessary. If this process is to teach you anything, let it be a reminder that you have people in your corner who care deeply about you and that you’re never alone.
About the Author
Rebecca Scott is the Content & Communications Manager at Venture for Canada, a national charity that fosters entrepreneurial skills and mindsets in Canadians, bridging education and work, talent, and opportunity. Rebecca loves writing about her experiences to help others, especially for entrepreneurs, women, and those in the nonprofit sector. She also serves on the Board of Directors for Women & Money Montreal. Beyond work, Rebecca enjoys creative pursuits like felting, drawing, and writing poetry.
Connect with Rebecca on LinkedIn here.