Author | Coach | Data Executive
In tech, career growth isn’t just about doing great work. Promotions, raises, and opportunities go to people who can clearly connect their work to impact at the right moments. Most professionals are never taught how to do this, especially in a way that feels authentic rather than awkward or political.
This course helps you change that.
You’ll stop hoping your impact gets noticed, second-guessing yourself in career conversations, and scrambling when promotion or compensation discussions come up.
You’ll start using clear frameworks, specific language, and intentional plans to advocate before decisions are made, not after. You’ll learn exactly what to say, when to say it, and how to say it so your value is understood by decision-makers.
What makes this course different is its practical, applied focus. There’s no vague advice like “be more visible.” You’ll practice live, role-play real scenarios, use scripts and templates, and leave with a custom self-advocacy plan you can immediately apply to promotions, compensation, and role growth.
Self-advocacy isn’t self-promotion. It’s how you take ownership of your career trajectory: consistently and confidently.
Master self-advocacy to authentically communicate your value. Confidently plan for the promotions, money, and job satisfaction you deserve!
Framework to translate your work into business impact
Language patterns to position results without overselling
Case studies of effective vs. ineffective advocacy
Promotion-readiness framework used before review cycles
Templates to align scope, expectations, and impact
Real examples of promotion narratives that worked
Step-by-step playbook for raises, leveling, and offers
Scripts for money conversations that feel calm and professional
Live role-play of realistic negotiation scenarios
Simple routines to maintain ongoing visibility
Tools to track impact and outcomes over time
Signals to advocate early, before decisions are made
Identify your specific blockers (fear, underconfidence, imposter syndrome)
Reframes for introversion, humility, and discomfort with self-promotion
Peer discussions to pressure-test safer approaches
Guided exercises to define your next career outcomes
Templates customized to your role and goals
Feedback and 1:1 access to refine your plan
Best-selling author on Self-Advocacy | Data leader at Meta | Coach to 500+
Mid-career tech professionals looking to own their career growth, including members of underrepresented groups that lack supportive mentors
Anyone ready to create a plan to get promoted, be acknowledged for their work, get better work opportunities, or prioritize job satisfaction
Those who struggle to position themselves for success at work, due to underconfidence, introversion, shyness, fear, anxiety, or ineloquence
Live sessions
Learn directly from Shailvi Wakhlu in a real-time, interactive format.
Lifetime access
Go back to course content and recordings whenever you need to.
Community of peers
Stay accountable and share insights with like-minded professionals.
Certificate of completion
Share your new skills with your employer or on LinkedIn.
Maven Guarantee
Your purchase is backed by the Maven Guarantee.
2 live sessions • 24 lessons • 2 projects
Live sessions
3 hrs / week
Projects
1 hr / week
Async content
1 hr / week
Jan
8
How you talk about your work shapes how others perceive your impact. In this module, you’ll learn to use language that communicates confidence and clarity, while still feeling authentic. You’ll explore what’s worth sharing, how to seek feedback to refine your message, and how small shifts in phrasing can make your value unmistakable to others.
Effective Language for Sharing Wins
Seeking Feedback and Iterating on Messaging
What is Worth Highlighting?
Self-advocacy isn’t a one-time event, it’s a daily practice. In this module, you’ll learn how to show up confidently in the meetings, updates, and touchpoints that shape your reputation. You’ll build the muscle of speaking about your work with clarity and authenticity so your impact is visible, meaningful, and aligned with team and company goals.
Building the Self-Advocacy Muscle in Private
Practicing Self-Advocacy in Public
When unexpected situations put your reputation, workload, or well-being at risk, you need clear, confident language to advocate for yourself in the moment. This module teaches you how to ask for what you need, surface challenges early, and realign expectations while giving you ready-to-use scripts, identifying the moments that matter, and applying a structured framework to communicate clearly. You’ll practice speaking up in ways that protect your impact, support your team, and help your company
What Speaking Up Actually Looks Like (Scripts & Example Phrases)
Knowing When To Speak Up
Speak Up Playbook - Ask For What You Need
Use the frameworks from Modules 1–3 to draft a concise self-performance review. Capture your wins, map them to impact, and practice clear, confident language so your contributions are visible and aligned with company priorities.
Project: Performance Review Draft
Jan
15
Landing a promotion requires more than just doing great work. It’s about strategically communicating your impact, timing your asks, and framing your value in ways your manager and company recognize. In this module, you’ll learn how to prepare a promotion pitch, apply proactive self-advocacy, and create a clear, compelling case for why you’re ready for the next level. You’ll leave with actionable tools to position yourself confidently for growth.
Pre-work for Seeking a Promotion (Worksheet)
Crafting an Effective Promotion Pitch (Script and Template)
Negotiating compensation is more than numbers—it’s about clarity, confidence, and alignment. In this module, you’ll learn to articulate the value you provide, structure your negotiation approach, and align your request with both market and company realities. You’ll practice frameworks that help you confidently ask for raises, bonuses, or adjustments while building stronger credibility with your manager or prospective employer.
Self-Awareness About Your Needs
Aligning with Market/Company Realities
Clearly Articulate the Value You Provide
Self-advocacy isn’t just about promotions or compensation, it’s also about creating a work environment where you can thrive. In this module, you’ll learn to prioritize your needs, acknowledge challenges, and take intentional steps toward improving satisfaction and well-being at work. You’ll practice frameworks that help you identify what matters most, communicate it effectively, and take action to make your workday more fulfilling—for yourself, your team, and the company.
Awareness
Acknowledgement
Acceptance
Action
Self-advocacy is a skill that grows with intentional practice. This module helps you design a personalized plan to consistently advocate for your career goals, track progress, and measure success. By the end, you’ll have a concrete roadmap to ensure self-advocacy becomes a natural part of how you operate - benefiting not just you, but your team and company.
Create a Plan for Self-Advocacy
Set Goals
Measure Success
Practice Self-Gratitude
Apply what you’ve learned to advocate for a career outcome that matters to you—whether it’s a promotion, compensation, or improved happiness at work. Draft your plan, map your evidence, refine your message, and outline concrete next steps to take action.
Project: Land Important Outcomes

Learn to use a step-by-step guide designed to systematically boost your promotion chances.
Discover actionable tips to align your work and goals with the criteria for advancement.
Understand how to strategically showcase your achievements and contributions to decision-makers.

Mark Gainey

Mike Micucci
Maven for Teams
Reimbursement
Get your company to pay
Everything L&D needs: email template, receipts, and certificate of completion.
Get reimbursedPrivate cohort
Run a cohort for your org
A dedicated cohort with a custom schedule and curriculum, tailored to your team.
Book a private cohort$695
USD