These days, you can’t scroll through Facebook or scan
through what’s trending without glancing at a headline about women and pay. From
New Jersey's recent Equal Pay Act to the Women’s March and IWD, trailblazers blasted
open doors and millennials are plowing through.
Women are banding together, gaining momentum and changing how companies
view, treat and pay women.
Without a doubt, some women already conquered the corporate
ladder – earning as much (or more!) than their male counterparts. I’ve studied how
female leaders achieve success, finally realizing there is no “single recipe”
for what makes a woman successful – no cookie cutter approach. But there is one key ingredient – a voice.
"A woman with a
voice is by definition a strong woman,” explained Melinda Gates at a Powerful
Voices conference in 2003. “But the search to find that voice can be remarkably
difficult."
Working with C-Suite women from Fortune 50 companies to
pre-IPO’s and start-ups, I grasped how these trailblazers found and amplified their
voice to receive bigger pay raises, more promotions or better bonuses. Countless projects and hours together highlighted
something important: We don’t all have the same voice. And that’s the key. By
channeling our own unique voices – our
powerhouse personalities – women can (and do) earn more money.
Each day, I still look forward to working, networking and
collaborating with women leaders - sharing stories, tidbits of insight and
ideas for the future.
So how do you find your voice today? Here are 3 ways to find your voice at work and earn more money.
1. Leverage your powerhouse personality.
It goes without saying (but I will say it anyway) –
women are different. Some are assertive and some aren’t. Others know how to
work a room while the rest of us sit at the bar sipping a Tito’s and tonic
while checking Facebook. If I told you to earn more money by going in and
asking for it, but that isn’t true to your nature, then you won’t be able to do
it.
2. Figure out what game you are playing.
That takes me to step 2. Every company is different. That
means each company approaches compensation differently. So figure out how your company plays the game. How? Read
the website. If it’s public, grab a strong cup of Joe and read the annual
report. If all else fails, ask your manager. Yes, ask your manager. Seriously –
ask your manager what the company’s approach is to rewarding and recognizing
its people. You’ll be amazed at what you learn.
The point is, you can’t ask for stock options if the company
doesn’t offer any. Mature companies have strict guidelines and you need to learn
the guidelines so you can play in the same sandbox. Figure out when and how to
ask for a bonus. What about things like severance, contracts or benefits? These
are potential pieces of the game. Compensation is more than just base salary.
Learn what pieces are in the puzzle you are putting together.
Think about Kelly Ripa. She used her confident but humble personality to garner public support, bolster her position and earn more money when Michael Strahan abruptly left. She used her voice - and leveraged a lot of other people's voices too.
3. Jump in and play the game.
Please – please, please, please – do not wait for the company to
offer you more money. It may happen. It may not. Men don’t wait and women
shouldn’t either. Playing to your strengths, talk to your manager (or whoever
the right influencer is). Remind them of your contributions AND your
expectations. Don’t let opportunities pass you by.
If you recognize your strengths, playing the game becomes
natural rather than the overwhelming sensation of jumping from an airplane
without a parachute.
We can’t all be Michelle Obama. But we can act like it.
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