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“Who run the world? Girls.” Beyoncé sang her classic top single to a packed Gillette Stadium in Boston last week during the sellout Renaissance tour. She does, and yes, we do, in many ways. We just don’t get paid enough for it.
According to the PSI (Psychiatric Symptom Index), women score higher at solving problems than men because we’re wired with emotional awareness and deliberation. Men score higher in terms of perceived confidence and ability. See where this is going? Women ARE higher performers; we just don’t beat our chests about it. (Think Barbie and Ken.)
So what’s the answer?
We (women) need to take matters into our own hands, using the inherent skills we have to problem solve. Here are our fav ways to put more money into women’s pockets.
1/ Believe in Yourself.
“Growing up, we’re socialized to be accommodating, not disrupt, be the ‘good girl,’ and always be grateful,” Claire Wasserman, Founder and Chief Branding Officer of Ladies Get Paid, said. “In other words, to stay small. My challenge to women who feel this way is to gut check yourself: would a mediocre white man feel this? You must be your own best advocate; to do that, you first need to believe that you’re worthy of advocacy.“
2/ Don’t Wait for Others to Recognize Your Worth
Yes, we know. You are the first one in the office every morning and the last one out every night. You have sacrificed your kids’ birthdays, soccer dates, and maybe your marriage to put in the hours needed to SUCCEED. But you know what? Your boss is probably too busy to notice. Unless he/she is an outlier and you work for the most amazing company ever, no one cares. Work the hours that are needed to do your job, but do not expect hard work to automatically = more money.
It is your job to showcase your worth (which means economic value) to your superiors in a way that they can value you.
3/ Present Your Economic Story
No matter what field you are in, the goal is to make money. That’s what businesses do. So be sure you know exactly how your work contributes to the company’s bottom line. Are you in sales? Then know every number associated with the accounts you have brought in. Are you in operations? Then know how you are saving money for the company. Do not expect someone else to do the math for you. Own it.
4/ Be Bold but Don’t be Over-the-Top
Okay, so here we are going to channel a bit of America Ferrara’s famous Barbie monologue. We want you to get the raise you deserve. So be smart about how and when you initiate discussions. You are not going to be successful if you overnight go from “humble staff member who never asks for anything” to full-on attack mode. This isn’t about attacking; it’s about getting what you want.
- Choose the right time for a discussion about your compensation. (That means not right before a mission-critical meeting.)
- Go in prepared. Own your numbers.
5/ Never, Ever, Mix Your Personal Life with the Money Conversation.
Negotiating for more compensation is about what you objectively deserve to be paid – not about your bills at home, or your husband’s lost job, or anything related to your personal life. This is about the value you bring to the business you are working for. Keep is simple and direct.
6/ Do Your Homework
Know the dollar amount of your value. This will require some research to learn the going rate for salaries best matching yours. Check out the salary calculators at calculator.net or glassdoor.com to get an idea of what your income should be, based on industry, career experience, skills, seniority, and location. Having this knowledge will arm you with greater negotiating power.
Look around you at the individuals today who are getting important work accomplished in society. TIME’s “100 Most Influential People 2023” glimpses how women rule on so many fronts!
Every woman can rule. Starting with ourselves, we can pave the way for our daughters and granddaughters, just as our foremothers bravely did through decades of nonviolent protest. Sociological and economic experts predict we’re 50 years out from seeing gender pay parity in the U.S., which would put us in 2073. Unacceptable. One by one, we can start taking steps to prove this projection wrong. Immediate action required.
