Show Me the Money…

How to ask for, and get, more than you think you want.

Can I Ask You a Question?

From time to time, clients ask me for ‘advice’ on a (money) negotiation question. I understand why, of course, when something is on our mind, we want to talk it through, maybe seek advice, or commiseration about the unfairness. We know that we don’t see a clear way forward and we want answers.

On the other hand, I feel like I am not really the ‘money’ person (nor the advice-giving person when it comes to clients). Sometimes I don’t offer advice at all-that isn’t what coaching is, but sometimes it’s helpful to discuss specifics to open up a space for some new thinking.

If I do make suggestions, I might go so far as tell them what I would do, or what I did in a previous situation, but that always with a very large caveat that it’s to stimulate ideas, or it comes from my perspective or experience, and they should take or leave anything I offer.

I tell them…

Don’t Do What I Would Do!

I always make it clear that my priorities and preferences, and what lights me up is not going to be the same for them. I’m not generally someone who has made a big deal out of salary negotiations, or consultancy fees. That doesn’t mean I don’t negotiate; I remember one…