Kelli Thompson is an author, keynote speaker, and leadership and career coach on mission to help women leaders advance. She joined Negotiate Anything to shed light on the intricate challenges women face when discussing money and how to break down the barriers that hinder effective negotiation.
Understanding the Fear Factor: Why Salary Negotiations are Daunting
Thompson, a woman’s leadership coach, begins by sharing her personal journey of navigating the realm of money conversations. She reflects on the cultural messaging she absorbed as a child, which essentially taught her that discussing finances was taboo. Drawing from her experience in human resources, she highlights the disparities she noticed in negotiation practices between men and women.
Many women expressed concerns about appearing pushy, greedy, or impolite, while some even felt grateful for any offer, irrespective of its undervaluation. These apprehensions, often stemming from societal conditioning or a lack of negotiation guidance, contribute to the hesitancy many women have when it comes to discussing compensation.
Unveiling the Gender Gap: Navigating Disparities
Thompson throws light on the gender dynamics intricately interwoven with salary negotiations. She emphasizes the common trend of men negotiating higher starting salaries than women, leading to the perpetuation of the gender pay gap. Drawing from her experience in HR, she observed differences in the salaries of male and female employees entering the organization. This observation fueled her determination to empower women to assertively demand what they rightfully deserve.
Challenging Myths and Misconceptions
To debunk common myths surrounding salary negotiations, Thompson addresses misconceptions that often hold individuals back. She drives home the point that one should never feel guilty or hesitant to negotiate, regardless of their current compensation or qualifications. Negotiating isn’t synonymous with greed; rather, it’s a means to secure just compensation for one’s skills and contributions.
Shifting the perspective can empower individuals to approach negotiations with confidence, recognizing it as a platform to express their worth professionally.
Strategies for Empowering Successful Negotiations
Thompson has some practical strategies to navigate salary negotiations effectively. First and foremost, she underscores the importance of comprehensive research in order to understand the market value for a specific role and/or industry. Armed with this knowledge, individuals can confidently articulate their worth. Additionally, she stresses the significance of rehearsing negotiation scenarios with a trusted friend or mentor to gain the assurance and polish their communication skills.
Boosting Confidence: A Vital Ingredient
Drawing from her expertise in women’s leadership coaching, Thompson provides insights into cultivating confidence, especially in salary negotiations. She underscores the influence of positive self-talk and the power of altering self-limiting beliefs that obstruct advocating for oneself. Embracing a growth mindset and welcoming discomfort enables individuals to approach negotiations with poise and resilience.
Navigating Gender Bias with Grace
In acknowledging the possibility of encountering gender bias and double standards in negotiations, Thompson advises listeners to be mindful of these biases and address them assertively when necessary. She recommends steering discussions toward the value and results individuals bring to the table rather than solely focusing on personal requirements.
Kelli Thompson’s expertise shines a light on the gender dynamics influencing negotiation outcomes and provides a toolkit of strategies to empower women to negotiate with confidence. By dispelling misconceptions and confronting self-limiting beliefs, women can harness their potential in salary negotiations and actively contribute to closing the gender pay gap.
To learn more about Kelli Thompson, follow her on LinkedIn or visit www.kelliraethompson.com. To listen to the full episode, click here.
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