Here's how you can advocate for yourself and your career goals with your boss in a small business setting.

Prepare to discuss specific examples of how your contributions have positively impacted the company’s growth. Whether it's through revenue generation, cost savings, or process improvements, showcasing tangible results strengthens your case for advancing in your career.

When my employees wish to advocate themselves and their career goals this is what stops and make me listen: 1. Can they clearly articulate their career goals 2. Do these goals align with reality; ie. have they considered how their goals fit with company priorities, do they have the skills required, how will the company benefit, how will they backfill their role or pick up added responsibility. No doubt you will be considering an increase as part of your career goals. It is perfectly reasonable to articulate this, but remember the increase will be weighed up against the cost of getting someone else to fill the role and against what the company can afford.

For me, being in a company is being part of it so you will grow and learn to lead and see the objectives in a more specific way and focus and timing is everything when it comes to talking about your professional objectives in a small company or a large one because the idea is to take the company to higher levels. Being proactive is good and embracing all the good things to grow; show initiative. to have your work valued. That can make all the difference in getting your message across. Choosing the right time shows that you understand both your needs and the pace of the company. that's my focus to get better and better the more you are valued the more you grow.

Begin with the understanding that the greatest value you can garner from a position is not what you will get then and there but what you will become. Explore what the position is likely to allow you to become and you will set yourself apart from others. The pay and benefits will sustain you now but the opportunity to become more will open doors you cannot even imagine yet.

1. Understand the goals of the business. Ask questions as necessary. Benefit of being at a small business is you can often go straight to the top to understand. 2. Find an obstacle to that future that you can eliminate. 3. Sketch out an idea of how you'd solve the problem. 4. Go talk to your boss about your plan. Make the case for why/how you want to tackle the issue in the context of the company's goals. You may get some advice on how to adjust your plan, but most people (including your boss) are delighted when someone shows up with a plan to make their life easier.

Timing means everything to me, personally, when discussing your career goals in a small business setting. You want to approach your boss at a time when things are stable and they aren't consumed by other more important issues. This could be during annual reviews, but don't wait that long if you get a good opportunity sooner. Proactive is good; it demonstrates initiative. Just make sure it feels like the right timing. That can make all of the difference in how your message is received. Picking your timing shows you understand both your needs and the business rhythm.

Align your conversation with the company’s strategic planning or budget cycle. Discussing your career goals when the business is planning for the future shows that you are thinking ahead and positioning yourself as a valuable part of those plans.

Timing is everything when discussing your career goals. Choose a moment when the business is running smoothly, and your boss isn't swamped with pressing issues. Annual reviews can be ideal, but don't hesitate to seize an opportunity earlier if it presents itself. Being proactive and attuned to the right moment can make all the difference in how your ambitions are received.

Speaking up, in my view, is very important in terms of working for your career goals within a small business. Be certain to clearly communicate your wants because your boss may not realize what that is. Present your case confidently, and be well-prepared to explain why your goals fit with the company's goals. Be honest about any extra training, added responsibility, or mentorship that you feel you may need. The boss can't help if he doesn't know what you need. The only assurance that your dreams are understood and taken seriously is to speak up.

Working in a small business can easily turn into feeling like you’re working with your second family. This can be both good and sometimes not so good. One thing I find helpful when needing to advocate for yourself, whether it’s a raise, time off or anything else, is to lead with a positive. As the requester it helps you feel good overall about the business and your role, and the receiver is happy to try to accommodate you when they know you enjoy and care about aspects of your work. I also think pausing to reflect on how this will impact your employer and offering ways to offset the impact can really work for you in getting what you need.

Align Goals with Company Objectives Connect Personal and Business Goals: Ensure that your personal goals align with the broader objectives of the company. For example, if your goal is to lead a new project, demonstrate how this initiative can benefit the company. Caroline Forsey from HubSpot succeeded in starting a thought leadership program by aligning it with the company’s goal to grow organic traffic.

Clear communication is essential when advocating for yourself. Approach the conversation with confidence, supported by your preparation. Clearly articulate your career goals and how they align with the company’s objectives, and be upfront about what you need to achieve them—whether it’s more training, responsibility, or guidance. Remember, your boss can't guess your aspirations, so speaking up is crucial to ensure they are understood and taken seriously.

Communication is an exchange of listening to comprehend and speaking to connect. Feedback from your boss can reveal information about them, their perceptions and their opinion of you and how you fit into the company. Hearing those pieces can help you advocate stronger for yourself. In a small business setting, roles and responsibilities can often shift and expand so knowing what is expected of you is critical to building your portfolio of accomplishments.

While sharing your career goals is essential, truly listening to feedback can be a game-changer. They might offer perspectives or growth opportunities you hadn't thought of. By actively listening, you show respect and a collaborative spirit, which can deepen your relationship and make your relationships more inclined to support your ambitions.

After the conversation, it's time to act. Take immediate, decisive steps based on the feedback you received. Whether it's leading a new project or enrolling in a course, follow through without hesitation. Your initiative and commitment to growth won’t just propel you toward your career goals—they’ll also send a clear message to your boss: you’re not just an asset, you’re indispensable.

My experience is that internal networking is very influential in a small business. Your colleagues are as important to be on good terms with as your boss. You understand more of the different areas making up the business through internal networking, and you will know where best to contribute. Also, such relationships can act to build allies around you who will fight for you and support your cause in your career. It's like building a broader base of support within the company that will greatly help in the realization of your aspirations.

In a small business, forging powerful connections with your colleagues is non-negotiable. Networking internally isn’t just about understanding the business—it’s about positioning yourself where you can make the most impact. These relationships aren’t optional; they’re essential. When you build a network of allies, you ensure that your career ambitions are backed by a team that’s ready to support and advocate for you at every turn.