How to Advocate for Yourself and Get Promoted as an Introvert
Listen to the audio version here: https://youtu.be/iigeb8WDBH8
As we approach mid-year review season, I’ve been reflecting on how promotion conversations unfold—both the ones I’ve advocated for and the ones I’ve observed over the years. And one thing becomes clear every time:
The way you advocate for yourself can make or break your promotion case.
For introverts, that can feel especially uncomfortable. But let me start with a story.
A Tale of Two Promotion Cases
I still remember someone I worked with who was fast-tracked into senior management.
Every quarter, he kept a running file of his achievements—client wins, stakeholder praise, screenshots of feedback, metrics, and delivery milestones. He didn’t just wait to be recognized. He created visibility.
And when promotion season rolled around, he went on a roadshow. He scheduled 1:1s with senior leaders, walked them through what he had accomplished, and showed how his work aligned with strategic goals. By the time he formally submitted his case, the decision-makers already knew what he’d done—and had been nodding for months.
Some initially saw this as “bragging,” but it worked. When it was time to decide, his name came up first. His presence was clear, his materials were solid, and his story was already built.
At the same time, another teammate—equally talented, equally impactful—walked in with a softer tone. “I think I helped with…” “I supported the team…” Even though the impact was just as real, the case didn’t land the same way.
Guess who got promoted?
Why It’s Harder for Introverts
Introverts tend to internalize wins. We tell ourselves the work speaks for itself. We hesitate to self-promote because it feels inauthentic or awkward. And in many ways, we focus so much on delivery, we forget that visibility is part of the job—especially when it comes to getting promoted.
We also overthink our achievements, downplay them, or assume others already know. But here’s the truth:
if you don’t advocate for yourself, your work gets buried beneath the noise.
How to Show Up and Advocate for Yourself
So, how do you advocate for yourself as an introverted leader?
Here are 5 practical tips:
Throughout the year, jot down impact moments: solved a client issue, led a difficult meeting, received positive feedback. Don’t rely on memory—document everything.
2. Ask for Feedback Often Not just during reviews.
Ask after a deliverable lands, after a workshop, after a milestone. Keep the feedback in writing. It’s not just for confidence—it becomes evidence.
3. Craft a Narrative, Not Just a List
When preparing your promotion case, don’t just list tasks. Tell a story: What was the challenge? What did you do? What changed because of you?
4. Practice Your Delivery It’s okay to script your message.
Practice how you’ll describe your impact in a confident, grounded way. Focus on clarity, not flash.
5. Build Visibility Throughout the Year
Make sure key stakeholders are aware of your progress long before review season. That means sending updates, looping them into wins, and booking 1:1s when needed.
Final Thoughts
As an introvert, self-advocacy might not feel natural—but it is a skill you can learn and master.
If you’ve ever walked into a review meeting and felt like your achievements were invisible, you’re not alone. But you can change that. You can build your case, your narrative, and your confidence—one intentional step at a time.
If this resonated with you, here are a few resources you might like:
Let’s continue to lead—on our own terms.
Leadership Career Coach - Helping Introverted Engineering Managers find Direction & Meaning in their Careers - INTJ - 🇨🇦
2mo"Asking for feedback" is a great way to stay top-of-mind with your boss. It is a way of reminding them what you are working on, the state of your development, and your accomplishments.