Negotiation Is An Act of Service
Negotiation is an act of service.
It doesn't have to be greedy or a grubby game of manipulation.
A woman who negotiates for herself serves her needs and desires. Which is a beautiful thing.
But her negotiating also BENEFITS others: her employer, her family and loved ones, other minorities who may or may not look like her.
Like my clients, you too can negotiate your career as an act of service and generate win-win outcomes.
➡️ Because your employer is better served when you're forthright about what you want in your career.
Take for example my client Caroline, who was upfront with her boss about wanting a $20K salary bump. Her boss told her, "Thank you for letting me know. You telling me helps me make the case to upper management."
This resulted in $15K raise, bigger responsibilities, and deepened mutual respect between her and her boss.
If you're up for a promotion, your employer WANTS to know what it will take to retain and keep you motivated. Help them help you. Tell them what you want.
➡️ When you take the risk to say the hard things, your family is better served.
For Amy, a mother of two, applying the skill of self-advocacy meant negotiating with her ex-spouse for a debt repayment.
Getting $3K paid back was about more than money. It was about restoring respect and balance in the relationship. A healthier dynamic in which her children can thrive.
This added to Amy's confidence to speak up while female at the nearly all-male engineering team meetings.
She got promoted months ahead of schedule and increased her income by 40%.
Amy is now equipped to better provide for her kids, because she advocated for herself.
➡️ Equity is better served when a woman negotiates her career milestones.
Liz, a woman of color and director at her firm, consciously chose to engage in conversations about what her bonus targets should be in the year of the coronavirus pandemic.
She negotiated her targets. She's already 80% there with months to go in the fiscal year.
Liz negotiating and achieving her bonus means that her org's mission of growth is being served.
And it sets the stage for other women and people of color like Liz to grow and to be seen as high potentials.
LISTEN.
If you're reading this, I know you have a desire to serve. As a professional, a leader, a woman, a mother, a daughter, a mentor to others.
Your desire to serve is NOT at odds with your capacity to negotiate for what you want.
You can tap into this desire to be even more committed, principled, and effective as a negotiator. A genuine leader who serves.
Because let's not forget: negotiation is an act of service.
Yours in service,
Jamie
P.S. Are you a mid-career woman who has the desire to get promoted, better paid and to serve others in a bigger way?
If so, I invite you to book your complimentary consult today. CLICK HERE TO BOOK.
In a 60-min conversation, we will dive into the specifics of your situation.
I'll help you identify your blindspots and prescribe custom solutions, so you can advocate, negotiate and lead in your career with calm confidence.
If there is a fit for both sides, then we'll explore working together.
If there is no fit, no problem. I'll point you in the direction that will be of most service to you, whether that's a referral or suggestions for next steps.
