INT 166 - Asking For More Money

One unique challenge women face in the workplace is asking for more money. Some are afraid to ask because they believe they will not receive it, while others build the courage to ask and still get told no. 

How can you ask your employer for a higher salary and receive a yes?

Listen to this episode of the "Int-HER-rupt" podcast to discover how women leaders can confidently ask the question. Linda Yates speaks with Linkage's CEO, Jennifer McCollum, about asking for more time, money, and opportunities. 

Jennifer's insights are interwoven with personal experiences and practical advice, making this a must-listen for aspiring and established women leaders. Join us as we delve into the nuances of negotiating, relationship-building, and setting clear career goals in a male-dominated business environment.

Mastering the Art of Asking for More

• Jennifer starts with a crucial piece of advice for women in the workforce: practice asking for more. 
• Starting with low-risk requests can condition leaders to expect these negotiations as a norm. 
• By sharing her own journey of making repeated asks on a male-dominated board, Jennifer illustrates how preparing with concrete data and a robust business case underpins successful outcomes.

Activating Your Network

• When internal company data is scarce, Jennifer emphasizes the significance of reaching out to your network and leveraging external data to frame your negotiations. 
• This action fortifies your position and underscores the value of nurturing professional relationships and their power in paving the way for progress.

Flexibility and Pivot Points

• Negotiations require adaptability, and Jennifer discusses the importance of being open to changing courses when an organization's values or compensation offerings do not meet one's needs. 
• This encompasses the broader strategy of aligning one's career trajectory with the right corporate culture and remuneration package.

Challenging Gender Biases

• Linda and Jennifer recount instances where they've confronted stereotypes and biases in the workplace. 
• They shed light on the "double bind'' women often face and how to navigate perceptions around assertiveness and ambition in professional settings.

Negotiating Titles and Future Paths

• Jennifer shares her tactical approach to negotiation when her company was acquired, highlighting the importance of having clear-cut career goals. 
• She also discusses how she advocated for her book, "In Her Own Voice," and laid the groundwork for her future within the newly structured company. 
• Linda complements this with her own experiences, reinforcing the significance of proving one's value and the power of saying "no."

Dealing with Interruptions Gracefully

• Climbing the corporate ladder can be fraught with interruptions and "talk-overs," particularly for women. 
• Jennifer shares how she handles such situations with poise, seeing them as moments of lack of awareness rather than intentional disrespect. 
• Her strategy for responses restores the floor and educates on respectful communication practices.

In this insightful episode with Jennifer McCollum, you'll learn crucial steps to help navigate leadership challenges. From mastering the art of negotiation to having the courage to ask for more, Jennifer's guidance is invaluable for any woman aiming to break through barriers in the workplace. 

Don't miss the full podcast for a deep dive into achieving your career goals gracefully and determinedly. Tune in to hear Linda Yates and Jennifer as they explore these empowering strategies.

“So there's a real bias against women specifically asking for money, but there's also a perceived bias. We have been conditioned to ask for only what we think would be acceptable or a watered-down version of what we can get. And it is a huge issue because it created the gender pay gap. By the time women in similar roles to men are 30 plus years into their careers, white women will have lost about $750,000, black women a little over a million, and Latin women closer to a million five. So it's a significant issue.” - Jennifer McCollum.

Resources

Jennifer McCollum on LinkedIn

“In Her Own Voice,” by Jennifer McCollum

If this episode connected with you, reach out to Linda and let her know. This podcast is produced by TSE Studios. Check out other podcasts by TSE Studios, including this episode’s sponsor, The Sales Evangelist, helping new and struggling sellers close more deals and achieve their sales goals. Subscribe to the IntHERrupt Podcast so you won’t miss a single show. Find us on Apple Podcast, Google Podcast, Spotify, and Stitcher. Audio created by Ryan Rasmussen Productions.