Who is talking for you when you’re not in the room?

A key question I posed to a client today while discussing their visibility and profile: Who is talking for you when you’re not in the room?

In organisations, talent and career-impacting decisions often happen behind closed doors. Promotions, opportunities, and high-profile assignments are frequently decided by people who may not interact with you directly. This makes one thing clear: your career isn’t just about what you do—it’s about who knows what you can do.

Who Knows What You Want?

It’s not enough for your leader to know you. Who else in those decision-making rooms understands your strengths, aspirations, and potential? Building relationships beyond your immediate boss is essential for long-term career success.

Too often, I’ve seen leaders put all their eggs in one basket, relying solely on a sponsor who eventually leaves the organisation. Suddenly, they’re left without an advocate, and their visibility within the company dwindles.

Three Advocates Are Better Than One

I believe you need at least three people on your leadership team who know:

1. Who you are: Your character, values, and unique strengths.
2. What you can do: The contributions you’ve made and the value you bring to the organisation.
3. What you want: Your aspirations and the direction you’d like to take in your career.

How to Build Advocates and Sponsors

Investing in yourself means fostering relationships with sponsors and advocates who can champion you. Here’s how:

• Be Clear About Your Goals: Advocates can’t speak for you if they don’t know what you want. Take time to articulate your aspirations clearly.
• Strengthen Relationships: Regularly connect with leaders and colleagues. Share your achievements and insights to keep them updated on your work.
• Diversify Your Network: Build relationships across teams and levels to ensure you’re visible to a broad range of decision-makers.

Why This Matters

Your career progression depends not only on your performance but also on your visibility. By cultivating relationships with multiple advocates, you create a safety net that protects your career trajectory, even if one sponsor leaves.

Who’s talking for you when you’re not in the room? If the answer isn’t clear, it’s time to start investing in those relationships. Your future opportunities could depend on it.