The Power of Invisible Advocacy🔑

Have you ever noticed how the loudest voice in the room usually gets all the attention? Yeah… 🙄 It’s true… the squeaky wheel gets all the oil, while the quiet contributor—the one who actually keeps things moving—gets about as much credit as the office plant. 🌱

Here’s the unspoken insight: most leaders end up championing the loudest voices. But influence? It multiplies when you quietly champion the overlooked talent.

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Before we dive in, if you’re ready to stop just being the boss and start being the leader people actually want to follow, check out my books The Valuable Leader series (Book 1 and 2).

• The Valuable Leader: 7 Steps to Greater Growth, Value, and Influence

• The Valuable Leader Communicates: 7 Keys to Unlock Your Voice and Connect Better with Others

They’re packed with strategies to help you see, value, and influence your team in ways that stick.

Why the Quiet Ones Matter

Leaders speak up for others when they are not in the room.

Think about Oprah Winfrey. One reason she built such an empire wasn’t just her charisma or the interviews you see on TV. Nope. It was her ability to see what others didn’t.

She invested in voices nobody else was paying attention to. Authors, experts, everyday people—people the world hadn’t given a platform—suddenly had Oprah behind them. And when she said, “This matters,” the world listened. That’s invisible advocacy. And it’s powerful. 😉

My Personal Story - Lynn, the Leader Who Advocates

But it’s not just Oprah-level stuff. I’ve lived it.

I remember the day I went to Barclays Bank in the Bahamas, trying to get a loan for my very first car. The banker looked me straight in the eye and said, “You’ll need a guarantor.” My stomach dropped. Savings? Minimal. Family funds? Nada. Name recognition at Barclays? Zero.

Leaders advocate for you… often in ways they will never know.

I walked back to the office, papers in hand, trying to look normal. But Lynn—my supervisor, my leader—noticed immediately. “Velma, sit down. What’s going on?”

And here’s what separated her from being just a boss: she noticed. She didn’t brush it off. She leaned in, listened fully, and made space for me.

When I spilled everything—the bank, the car, my panic—she didn’t lecture me or give a pep talk. She just picked up the phone, called Barclays, and with quiet, steady confidence, handled it. She hung up, smiled, and said, “Go to Barclays. Ask for Mr. Sands. Your loan is approved.” No fanfare. No spotlight. Just invisible advocacy. Her influence covering me when I had none. And that moment? It left a permanent mark, on me and my career.

Why This Matters to You

Your team is always watching. Not just what you say in meetings—but who you notice, celebrate, and quietly support when they aren’t in the room.

If you only spotlight the loud ones, guess what? The quiet ones stop trying. But when you consistently lift up the overlooked, you don’t just earn loyalty—you multiply influence. And the loud ones respect you more too, because fairness is magnetic.

Here are three action steps you can talk to Lead with Invisible Advocacy…

📍1. Spot the invisible hero… Look for one quiet contributor whose work keeps slipping under the radar. It might be the person who fixes the slide deck, smooths out customer complaints, or just keeps the team sane.

📍2. Advocate for them in rooms they’re not in… Mention their contributions in meetings, emails, or promotions. Say, “Hey, we couldn’t have pulled this off without Sarah.” (Or whoever your unsung hero is.) This isn’t flattery—it’s fairness.

📍3. Make it a habit, not a headline…Invisible advocacy isn’t a one-off stunt. Consistently shine a light on unseen talent. Small, steady moves build loyalty faster than any rah-rah speech ever could.

That’s invisible advocacy—and it changes everything. Oprah did it. Lynn did it. And yes, you can do it too.

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📚 Your Leadership Challenge:

The power of leadership isn’t just in who you see. It’s in who you help others see.

If you want to take your leadership further, grab your copies of the Valuable Leader series and start building influence that lasts. The first one gives you the steps to grow, add value, and amplify influence. The second teaches you how to communicate in ways that truly connect.

Your team—and your legacy—will thank you.

I’m cheering 📣 for you!

P.S. ➡️ Listen to the Podcast here

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Look for this icon for the series.

PS: Missed earlier episodes in the From Boss to Leader series?

And remember: leadership isn’t about the loudest voice in the room. It’s about the quiet ones you lift up.