What Does Advocacy Mean?

Advocating for Yourself—and Your Firm

What does it mean to advocate for yourself? When you advocate for yourself, you understand what you’re worth. You recognize the value you bring, the people you help, and the difference you make in their lives or work. You know how your contribution impacts others—and that clarity gives you confidence and purpose.

The Power of Advocacy

Now imagine compounding that value—what if everyone in your organization understood how to advocate, not just for themselves, but for your firm? What if every team member could clearly articulate:

• Who your firm serves best
• What difference your work makes for clients
• Why your firm’s value truly matters

As a leader of a professional services firm, that’s the kind of clarity and energy you want in your culture. It’s not about being pushy or self-promotional—it’s about owning your impact and being able to express it authentically and confidently.

From the Individual to the Organization

Every person in your firm has moments each day where it’s appropriate—and valuable—to talk about what you do and why it matters. Whether they’re with a client, a partner, or a prospect, the ability to advocate for your firm, their own value, and their ideas strengthens both individual and collective presence.

Recognizing the Right Moments

The key is helping your team recognize when those moments arise and feel empowered to speak up. Advocacy doesn’t have to be loud—it just has to be clear, confident, and connected to purpose.

The Takeaway

If every member of your organization could communicate your value—what you do, who you do it for, and why it matters—the visibility and awareness of your firm would skyrocket. Advocacy starts with self-understanding, but its greatest power shows up when everyone in the firm becomes an advocate for your shared mission.