Be your own champion at work

By Jesse Sanchez. 

How self-advocacy and accountability can redefine career success. 

In this episode of RoofersCoffeeShop’s Lunch and Learn series, Kevin Mahoney, a sales engineer at Ingage, joined host Megan Ellsworth to discuss the nuances of self-advocacy in the workplace. Their discussion provided practical insights into how professionals can champion their own growth, leverage analytics and align their goals with their organization’s objectives. 

“In an ideal world, your peers and your bosses would all be advocating for you 24/7,” Kevin remarked early in the discussion. However, he stressed that professionals must adapt to the realities of a workplace where everyone is focused on their own goals and challenges. “But in general, you shouldn’t assume that’s the way it operates.”  

Kevin, whose role at Ingage spans sales, marketing and engineering, explained the necessity of defining what success looks like in multifaceted positions. Suggesting employees write down key attributes and measurable goals to create a roadmap for success, he said, “If you can’t define it, you’re going to have trouble creating those goals in the first place.” 

This approach ties into what Kevin described as "managing up." “It’s essentially holding your manager accountable and helping them help you,” he explained. Kevin stressed the importance of collaboration in this dynamic, saying, “Despite the perceived power dynamic that they’re your manager, they’re your boss, it is very much a collaborative effort. You work together to shape the goals that both of you agree are important.” 

Self-advocacy, as Kevin outlined, isn’t about being the center of attention but about aligning personal objectives with the broader goals of the organization. “You have to give them an incentive. If your manager isn’t currently in a space where they’re finding the time, you need to make it worth their while. This is a business, they’re not your personal life coach,” he said. For professionals seeking actionable advice on self-advocacy and building measurable goals, Kevin’s insights are a valuable starting point.  

Read the transcript or Watch the interview to learn more about personal accountability and career growth!