by Staff | Jan 3, 2020 | Previous Content
As we set off in the new year (and new decade), many of us are in the reflection and goal setting mode. We are looking at what our life was like over the past year and what we want to create now.
However, we can often get distracted from what we truly need when setting our goals. Even when we are using a great methodology (think SMART goals), we might end up reaching externally, focusing on things that will bring validation, or ignoring our inner wisdom in favour of what we THINK we should do. Or for some of us, what we think others want us to do.
To get yourself on track for being your best self and doing your best work, you need to tune in to all aspects of your life. Examine your blindspots. See where you are out of balance. Understand why you want what you want and ask whether that is in service of who you are becoming.
We use the Veza Wheel of Life with our coaching clients to support them in this reflection. Download it and mark it up based on the level of alignment and satisfaction you have in each area of your life. Not only will it give you a benchmark for how you are starting this year, it will show you the areas of your life you have been neglecting. We recommend setting inspired actions or goals around the three lowest scoring areas, so you can bring balance to your life. After completing this exercise, you can begin your annual goal setting from a place of understanding what you truly need to grow.
Wishing you on one of the most creative, fun, abundant, loving years of your life.
Want to set 2020 up to be a year of alignment and growth? Join us for our free webinar 2020 Vision: Creating Aligned Goals for the New Year on January 8th to get coached through your visioning process. Attendees will also receive a free copy of our Goal Setting Guide (usually exclusive to our coaching clients).
by Manpreet Dhillon | Nov 28, 2017 | Business, Coaching, Leadership
It’s really easy to obsess over your compensation package.
I know SO many women who continuously stress and strive for a bigger salary and more prestigious title, rarely stopping to even appreciate each successful promotion.
Really, it’s no surprise.
We’ve been raised by our parents and communities to believe that our paycheque is a reflection of our value. That what we’re paid is an indication of our worth.
That line of thinking is really damaging because ultimately it means that what we’re paid becomes our source of self-worth.
No wonder there’s a push to earn more and more. Even if the roles pursued aren’t fulfilling.
Here’s the thing, I’m all for shattering the glass ceiling and seeing more and more women rise in leadership and pay grade, especially women of colour, but first, I want you to know the truth.
The truth is… whatever you’re being paid right now… is not the place to define your self-worth.
Divinely you are worthy of far more than you could ever ask for.
Your worthiness is inherent in your essence and your very being.
With that understood, asking for what you’re “worth”, in the context of your career, really boils down to the VALUE you offer to your employer.
Your value is measured by your demonstrable skills, talents, experience, and education AND your ability to bring them forward and present them in a way that makes it clear to your manager that you are an asset to the organization.
When you can communicate your value with ease and confidence it’s really simple to ask for the raise or promotion you know you deserve and hear, “YES!”
Here how I coach my clients to ask for what they’re worth and get it:
Build Up Your Worthiness Mindset
Last week I talked a lot about mindset. I shared how certain mindset shifts helped me land my dream role at the United Nations .
Well guess what… Mindset is at the heart of asking for your raise or promotion too.
The mindset that’s required when you’re asking for more money or a new role is to approach the situation with the full body understanding that your paycheque does not to equate to and cannot diminish your worth.
You’re worthy because of who you are and you are capable of receiving as much money as you desire because you are a powerful creator.
When you walk into the room with this knowing, it changes the conversation.
You lead the conversation from a place of confidence and strength because you KNOW you’re capable and deserving of any amount of money you ask for…and you KNOW that the Divine / Universe / Source will bring you whatever you desire, be it in your current role, or in one far better than you could ever imagine.
Compare Your Job Description vs. Your Actual Role
In the age of cutbacks and downsizing, it’s very rare to find yourself doing only the tasks and duties that are outlined on your official job description. Quite often you’re doing 5 different jobs under one title and not being properly compensated for it. The good news is, this is a really easy way to showcase the added value you bring to the table simply by walking into the room prepared with comparative roles and salaries.
Do the research and compare your current job description alongside the job description of the role that you’re “really doing”. Dig up as much salary information as you can find too. Share salaries from similar roles, in similar industries and even in other industries as well. Don’t be afraid to present job descriptions and salaries for the role that’s one promotion or pay grade up from where you are currently to show where you desire to grow.
When it’s in black and white it becomes a lot easier for your manager to agree that it’s time to adjust your salary accordingly.
Show Your Work
In addition to outlining your actual role, you’ll also want to show your value through compiling a list of achievements and contributions you’ve made to the organization in the last year or since your last raise. Create that list, review it to boost your confidence, and bring it to the table.
Being able to confidently show and say, “These are the contributions I’ve made” demonstrates your value beyond far your ability to do the work you’re assigned.
It allows you to create some leverage here and leverage is key in negotiations.
Always Talk About The Bottom Line
At the end of the day, companies are in business to make money — even when they’re not-for-profit
When you’re reviewing your list of accomplishments be sure to talk in terms of the bottom line as often as you can. You’ll want to show how you’re driving sales, acquisitions or assets for the company or how you’re increasing resources.
If you’re in a position where you don’t directly impact the bottom line or sales, in an admin or a human resources role perhaps, you can share where you were able to save the company money instead.
Share examples that demonstrate how you’ve contributed to the improvement of workflow, used resources more effectively, and how you helped make the lives easier of those who are in sales or revenue producing roles. That’s just as important since it contributes to healthy profits.
Schedule a Time to Talk About Your Raise
Rather than springing a salary discussion on your boss, it’s really important to set a time and day to discuss your compensation with the appropriate person whether it be your hiring manager, Human Resources etc.
You want it to be clear that you’re opening a dialogue to talk about salary and you want them to be in the right mindset to have that kind of conversation.
It can feel confronting but you need to be transparent about your desire to negotiate salary in order to create the kind of outcome you’re hoping for. When your manager is also prepared to have this conversation, it puts you in a place of power. You can be totally open and upfront and your manager will expect you to be.
Take Control Of The Conversation
Being the one to request the conversation, you’re also in a place to lead the conversation if you choose…and it’s wise to do so.
Take control of the conversation by being the first to when you enter the room. Thank your manager for taking the time to review your compensation package and let him or her know that you’ve pulled together a package to review together. Present your case and allow her to provide their feedback but do not allow her to control the conversation.
When you’ve stated the facts and your requested salary, close the conversation by asking for immediate feedback if that’s appropriate or a clear date of decision.
You want to make it clear that you’re expecting a decision or decision date at the end.
Be Ready For Objections
To effectively control the flow of conversation you’ll also want to prepare for any objections beforehand.
Think of all the possible reasons your raise or promotion might be declined and come up with a counter point.
Here are a few to get started….
If they say, “Well there’s no room in the company budget.”
Prepare notes prior to the meeting on ways you can increase funds for the company or department. Or, consider countering with benefits that aren’t directly related to salary such as personal development days, money, vacation time or days off.
If they say, “That no one else is getting a raise.”
This might be an opportunity to discuss the timing of your last raise if it’s been a while. You’ll also want to explore your performance over this period of time to demonstrate where you’ve performed over and above your colleagues and therefore deserve unique opportunities. Again, you might wish to consider or suggest non-salary benefit like extra training.
Follow-up, Follow-up, Follow-up
Once you’ve wrapped up your presentation, ask for a decision within a certain timeframe. Then, let your manager know, you’ll be following up within a week and that you look forward to a positive result from the conversation. Close the conversation immediately afterwards by thanking your manager for his or her time and walking out of the room with confidence.
Be sure you follow up in a week as promised… or even better, as soon as you walk out of the room, schedule a follow-up meeting so they have it on their calendar as well.
One Last Thing…
If you’re a ball of nerves either right before you head into the conversation, the best place focus is that list of accomplishments you’ve created to help you really own the fact you that you are an asset and deserve to be compensated accordingly.
I also shared a few more tips recently right here
Remember! You have a lot to offer and your list of accomplishments (along with your cumulative list of degrees and career achievements) is proof that you have contributed so much already so go ahead and create that list!
Now is actually a great time to recall and capture your accomplishments throughout the year if you haven’t been keeping track.
To help you get crystal clear on the value you brought to your organization in 2017 and to begin setting your career goals for 2018 I have a special gift to send your way…
It’s the Veza 2018 Goal Setting Intention Guide.
This is a special workbook I’ve created for our community (for free) to help you review your year and set intentional goals for the year to come. The first section is all about capturing this year’s accomplishments so I highly recommend downloading it if you’re wanting to talk new salary (or new role) in 2018.
Download your copy of the Veza 2018 Goal Setting Intention Guide here
p.s. After you grab your copy be sure to join us over in our private Facebook Community where we’ll be completing the workbook together and masterminding to create a game plan to magnetize your dream career (with the salary to match) in 2018.
May these resources guide you to ask for what you’re worth and get it! Enjoy!
by Manpreet Dhillon | Feb 7, 2014 | Coaching
Life was going so well. The birds were singing, the grass was green and the sky was blue.
Over a cumulation of days, you start to feel some unease in your body. You start to realize that something is gnawing at you.
The gnawing feeling grows and you become aware of the fact that you are not as happy as you thought you were.
Well you do have the option of going in a new direction or you can continue to pursue the road you are on.
If this is the place you are in, today I will lead you through an exercise so you can make the best decision for yourself.
Take a few deep breaths and bring yourself to a calm, relaxed state.
I will ask you a list of questions, please answer them truthfully and honestly. While you are answering these questions, just allow the answers to flow to you through brainstorming.
1. What is your big vision of where you want to be 20 years from now? How does it feel? What can you see? Who is around you?
2. Ask your future self, what steps did you take to get there?
3. What/Who did you need to release so you can move forward to align to that direction?
4. What aspects of your current life align in support of this vision? What aspects of your current life do not align to support this vision?
5. What do you need to do in the next 30 days to achieve this vision? What do you need to do in the next 60 days? What do you need to do in the next year?
6. On a scale of 1-10, how committed, ready, willing and able are you to move towards this vision?
Now, thank your future self for showing your what is the direction you want to go in. It is time to celebrate this vision and this life you created for yourself.
by Manpreet Dhillon | Jan 2, 2014 | Coaching
As we set off in the new year, many of us are in the reflection mode and goal setting mode. We are looking at what our life was like and now what we want to create.
Here is a template for goal setting that I use for myself. For me, I find it really important to have a lot of feeling behind my intentions.
Goal Setting – 2014
As you are moving through this exercise think of different aspects of your life. The different aspects to think about are:
- Career
- Emotions
- Relationships (Self, Romantic, Family, Friends, Work)
- Health
- Finances
- Contribution
It is always good to check in to see how you are doing in each of these areas. Rate each of these areas 1-10, and see how satisfied are with them. Then start the Goal Setting exercise from this place.
Wishing you on one of the most creative, fun, abundant, loving years of your life.
If you would like to be supported while doing this goal setting exercise, please contact me for a 1/2 hour complimentary exploration call.
Ishu Kler is a photographer and Social Media Manager at Veza Global. She currently owns and operates a freelance photography company called Ishu Kler Creative where she specializes in branding, portrait and event photography. Born and raised in Vancouver, B.C., her love and passion for photography led Ishu to travel and live in New Delhi, India, where she obtained her Diploma in Photography. She also travelled to Costa Rica in 2015, where she obtained her Certificate in Documentary Photography from Photographers Without Borders.
Kelsey is a passionate Multimedia Designer & Communications Specialist with a diploma in Multimedia Production and over nine years of diverse design experience in different areas of the world including roles within multinational in-house marketing teams Microsoft and Technetix, marketing agencies and freelance. These experiences have led her to develop strong use of design principles, skills in Adobe Creative Cloud, knowledge in motion graphics and video editing, and knowledge in creating effective communication for a wide range of audiences and cultures.
