The First Time She Asked for More Money

True influence doesn't come from being the loudest voice in the room, it comes from listening carefully, preparing thoroughly, and executing with conviction.

When I received an offer for a leadership position, I was excited and hesitant to ask for more. Before responding, I reviewed the responsibilities and considered the experience I would bring. I thanked them for the offer, explained my reasons and asked whether there was flexibility in the salary. Having that conversation taught me that negotiation can be respectful and collaborative. Regardless of the answer, I wanted to make my decision knowing I had spoken honestly about my expectations.

Yes, and because I did have some anxiety around it I believe that was my nervous system telling me that the place I was at wasn't the right place for me. I just did not fully know it yet. I was confident in my abilities, and yet I had doubts. I think that if you are feeling that way about asking for the recognition and acknowledgement for your work that you know you deserve, that tells you a lot about the culture of the environment that you are in at that time. Supportive environments encourage you to ask for what you need, or better yet, recognize it before you have to ask. But if you do you certainly should not have that uneasy feeling about it. Trust your instincts; they'll tell you whether you should stay or not, and if you truly feel valued and supported, you will know the difference.