Every professional should have an advocate or a series of advocates. Advocates are different from mentors. Mentors may offer advice, sage counsel, or have walked a path before you. Advocates are peers, business associates or superiors who sing your praises without prompting, kick open doors for you, and have your back during bumpy times. Whether you are working or in transition advocates are invaluable.
Many more opportunities, whether it is within an organization or in the job market, seem to avail themselves for people who have advocates. Self promotion can only go so far. The support and endorsement of advocates can help people move up, move forward or land new opportunities exponentially faster.
So who are your advocates? How to you find them? Advocates come from authentic and genuine relationships that are fostered and nurtured over time. Advocates are people who believe in you and your potential and are not afraid to endorse or defend your capabilities to a broader audience. Advocates are committed to your success as a professional.
Are you someone’s advocate? Are there associates, employees or even leaders you have worked with that you will go to bat for and recommend without hesitation?
So whether you are in a job or in between jobs advocates are a vital part of a successful career. Ask anyone who has had a success career, they will likely mention the role advocates have played along the way.
