As program managers we are the orchestrators, the facilitators, the ones who make things happen behind the scenes. We thrive on ensuring everyone else has what they need to succeed. But here’s a lesson I learned the hard way: in the high velocity world of tech, quiet competence can easily be mistaken for unimportance. If you don’t tell people about your work, it might as well not exist.
This isn’t about ego-stroking or bragging. It’s about owning your contributions, ensuring your impact is recognized, and ultimately, shaping your own career trajectory.
In my experience, particularly in the open source domain, leadership is often too busy to grasp the nuances of every project. By regularly reporting the launches and successes of my programs—not just dry status reports, but engaging narratives highlighting the “why” and the “how”—I found that a broader set of stakeholders became invested. They understood the value, championed the work, and ultimately, contributed to its success.
Vital to this approach was a key challenge: translating my work into a language that resonated with different stakeholders. Instead of burying them in details, I present my initiatives in a “newsier” format, making it easy for them to grasp the key takeaways and connect them to their own priorities. Tell people about the delicious dinner, not the steps in the recipe!
But self-advocacy goes beyond just visibility. It’s about building a record of your achievements, especially useful come performance review time. Don’t let your contributions fade into the background noise. Capture them, quantify them, and articulate their impact. If writing about yourself feels uncomfortable, consider using AI tools to help craft narratives that resonate with your audience.
Remember, if you don’t speak up for yourself, others will gladly fill that void with their own agendas. By mastering the art of self-advocacy, you not only gain recognition for your work but also a superpower to drive the change you want to see. Think about your stakeholders, and ask yourself if they’re getting the right information about your programs—and don’t be afraid to ask them directly about their information needs and preferences!
Ultimately, others’ perception of you and your work is vital for your career path. As a capable program manager, you are undoubtedly valued by your stakeholders: by giving them a story to tell, you equip them to champion you and your career.