Feeling Undervalued? Here's How to Command the Raise You Deserve

Victoria Canham • 17 July 2024 • 5 min read

"The only way to advance in your career is to ask for what you deserve." - Unknown

As a high-achieving professional in your prime, you've dedicated countless hours to excel in your career. You consistently deliver results, take on additional responsibilities, and drive your team's success. Yet, despite your contributions, you feel undervalued and underpaid.

You put in the work, consistently deliver results, quietly elevate the team and yet... a nagging feeling persists. You're under-appreciated. You deserve a raise, but the conversation feels daunting.

This isn't uncommon for successful professionals like you. You've likely climbed the corporate ladder, shouldered increasing responsibilities, and become a pillar in your family. Yet, the recognition you crave seems elusive.

Here's the truth: asking for a raise is a skill. It's not about demanding what you're worth, it's about strategically communicating your value and demonstrating your impact.

It's time to change that narrative and advocate for the compensation you deserve.

But here's the thing: you deserve to be compensated fairly for the value you bring. And negotiation doesn't have to feel like combat.

Understanding Your Worth

Before approaching your higher-ups, it's crucial to have a clear understanding of your value:

Document Your Achievements: Make a comprehensive list of your accomplishments, focusing on quantifiable results and tangible impacts on the company's bottom line.
Research Market Rates: Investigate salary ranges for your position in your industry and location. Knowledge is power in negotiations. Equip yourself with information about industry standards and salary benchmarks for your role.
Websites like Glassdoor and LinkedIn Salary Insights can provide valuable data. This research will help you gauge where your current compensation stands in comparison to the market and strengthen your argument for a raise. In the UK, recruitment firm Robert Walters puts together an annual salary survey, the results might surprise you.
Assess Your Unique Contributions: Identify the specific skills, expertise, or connections you bring that set you apart from your colleagues.

Preparing Your Case

With your value established, it's time to build a compelling case:

Align Your Achievements with Company Goals: Frame your achievements in the context of the organisation's objectives and long-term vision.

Gather Feedback and Testimonials: Collect positive feedback from colleagues, clients, and stakeholders to support your case.

Develop a Future-Focused Proposal: Outline how you plan to contribute even more value in the future, demonstrating your commitment to growth.

Utilise Your Inside Knowledge: You know your boss, you know what their objections or concerns are likely to be, make sure you have played out these scenarios beforehand, so that you can successfully counter their argument.

The Conversation

Approaching the discussion with confidence and professionalism is key:

Choose the Right Time: Schedule the conversation during a period of relative calm, not immediately after a crisis, during budget cuts or right at financial year end. Choose a moment when your contributions are particularly evident, such as after the successful completion of a major project or during your performance review.

Start Positively: Begin by expressing your commitment to the company and your role. Feel free to add examples of how you have expanded your role or any development you have undertaken to improve your performance.

Present Your Case Clearly: Articulate your achievements, market research, and future plans succinctly and confidently. Be ready to discuss how your role has evolved and the increased responsibilities you’ve taken on. The more prepared you are, the more compelling your case will be.

Be Prepared to Negotiate: Have a clear number in mind, but be open to discussing alternative forms of compensation or a phased increase. Your employer may not immediately agree to your request, but that doesn’t mean the conversation is over. Consider alternative forms of compensation, such as additional benefits, flexible working hours, or opportunities for professional development. Show that you’re open to a constructive dialogue aimed at reaching a mutually beneficial agreement.

Listen Actively: Pay attention to the response and be ready to address concerns or objections calmly and rationally.

Follow Up: If an immediate decision isn't possible, establish a clear timeline for follow-up discussions.

Handling the Outcome

Regardless of the result, maintain your professionalism:

If Successful - Express gratitude and reaffirm your commitment to excellence.

If Unsuccessful - Seek to understand the reasons and work with your superior to establish clear benchmarks for future consideration.

Moving Forward

Remember, asking for a raise is more than just about money – it's about recognition of your value and contributions. If you find that your current environment consistently undervalues your efforts, it may be time to consider other opportunities that align better with your worth and ambitions.

As a high-performing professional, you deserve to be compensated fairly for your contributions, achievements and progression. By approaching the conversation with preparation, confidence, and professionalism, you increase your chances of success while also demonstrating the leadership qualities that make you invaluable to your organisation.

However, navigating these waters can be challenging, especially when emotions and self-worth are involved. This is where high-performance coaching can make a significant difference. A skilled coach can help you refine your approach, boost your confidence, and develop strategies to ensure you're not just heard, but truly valued in your workplace and beyond.

Investing in High-Performance Coaching Can Make the Difference

Negotiating a raise is a skill that can be honed. High-performance coaching for men can help you develop the confidence, communication skills, and strategic thinking to effectively advocate for yourself.A coach can be your sounding board, helping you refine your message and approach the conversation with a clear plan. Together, you can develop a negotiation strategy that feels authentic and powerful, ensuring you get the recognition and compensation you deserve.

Ready to finally command the raise you deserve?

Book a free discovery call today and let's discuss how high-performance coaching can help you achieve your career goals.

Click here to schedule your free Peak Performance Discovery Call today!

P.S. This call is completely free, with no obligation to enrol in any programme. It's simply a chance to explore how coaching can help you achieve your goals.

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Victoria Canham - Mental Performance Coach

Victoria is an ICF-accredited certified professional coach, who offers bespoke performance coach. With a background in change management and countless hours of professional coaching training and experience, I made the big switch to full-time coaching in 2020. I know what it is like to suddenly have the rug pulled out from under you while you're busy making other plans, as a result, I now help people like you to bounce back from adversity and major setbacks to emerge stronger and better than ever before. Our clients have transformed from feeling overwhelmed by life's challenges to confident, goal-driven individuals who navigate life's obstacles with ease. They've achieved their personal and professional objectives and embodied peak performance in all aspects of life. You too can experience this transformation. This is your moment. Your chance to take control, to choose growth over stagnation, achievement over inaction. This is your opportunity to prove to yourself that you're not defined by your challenges—you're defined by how you rise above them. Are you ready to transform your life and achieve peak performance?