Woman in Business - Get that money you deserve!

I have yet to meet a person who is satisfied with the salary that he or she is drawing. The phrase often used (and abused) is ‘I deserve more’. While men stop at this, most women immediately add a suffix ‘… but given the situation…. This is fine because…'. Why are women so apologetic while demanding what they truly deserve? Most women excel in the art of self-depreciation and hence so many times have to settle for less than what they really deserve. A lot, I feel has to do with the somewhat snubbed self confidence that leads them to believe that they are worth much less than they actually are.

Though not exhaustive, here are some things that can be internalized over a period of time to help you gauge you true worth and help you demand your rightful share!

Make it larger than life: Think big! Women tend to get into the psyche ‘Who is going to pay me a salary like this?’ And they are ready to negotiate the already beaten down figure that they have in mind. Even the best minds in the industry coming from the most impressive B-Schools and those who have theoretically mastered the skill of negotiation also sometimes fail to negotiate their own salary well. Value yourself right and demand it!

Create challenges: All jobs on this planet do not come with adequate number of challenges rolled in. Even your own job may not be something to write home about. Create excitement in your life – look at how you can spice up your work life by taking on an additional challenging task and accomplishing. No employer in his right senses would turn down an offer from an employee who wants to take on additional tasks. Do it well and when appraisal time comes – showcase your achievement and demand more. That fact that you have done something that goes beyond the call of your outlined jobs can get you those brownie points.

Daily Affirmations: Changes happen when you want them to happen and mountains move when you believe that you can move them. By constantly telling yourself - ‘I am good at my work and I will prove it’ or ‘I have the confidence to stand up and ask for what is rightfully mine’. Thoughts like these repeated daily can turn into beliefs over a period of time. And they work as your infallible support when you are negotiating your salary or demanding a raise.

Challenge yourself: And this goes beyond the boundaries of your work. The more you challenge yourself in your daily life the more polished you become as a human being. And the more polished you become the more respect you have for yourself. This leads enhanced self-esteem and confidence that comes with knowing that ‘now I have surpassed tougher trials or scaled higher mountains… what is this?’ Every employer likes to have a confident employee… so where are u headed …. Bungee jumping?

Fake it!: Women can fake a lot of emotions and feelings… why not confidence? Everyone likes to see a superwoman around themselves… (except perhaps the subordinates …. Sometimes!) Show them that there is more to you that meets the eye. You may be shuddering at the thought of the presentation to a difficult client. However that fact that you cracked jokes, touched your makeup and barked some instructions to your junior and then walked into that boardroom with an air of the queen will definitely add plenty of feathers in your cap in one go. Do make a point of bragging about this though!

And if you think that you can not imbibe all of this at one go…. Don’t worry, I am still in the process of mastering it. I am told that it will happen over a period of time. But remember to drop me a line when you successfully negotiate that six figure salary!!