The conversations we don’t have…

It’s considered taboo. People say it’s rude to talk about. It might seem nosy or weird or insensitive. And it feels very personal.

Yup. I’m talking about salary.

But let me ask you this: if we don’t talk about it, how do we grow it?

Women, by nature, are more caring, so we tend to take the opportunities we’re offered and be grateful for them. This means we often don’t negotiate when entering a new job or position, leaving money on the table. That pay we settle for essentially stalls our wealth, forcing us to save less, contribute less to our retirement, postpone our vision, and shrink what we plan to give the next generation.

But this is not destiny.

In episode 8 of the Black Girl Fly podcast, Tenisha and I discuss how the conversation around pay became a don’t-go-there topic. We talk about why it’s important to share salary information with your friends, how transparency will help us all grow our wealth, and the number one tip to keep in mind when entering a salary negotiation.

Before the week is up, try these three Know Your Worth actions:

1.      Research your current position on Glassdoor or Robert Half. Get a better understanding of what people with similar backgrounds are earning for the same job title nearby.

2.      Talk about retirement with a friend who dreams big. Get into the details about how much you’re each contributing to your accounts and share your visions for a life free of work. Start a precedent of talking about money with each other!

3.      Create a list of how you actively contribute to your company. Try to get down the numbers, but don’t forget the qualitative stuff – your team spirit and dedication to your clients.

Tag us on Instagram and let us know how you did! Be sure to share this list with your dream-big friends and build your wealth side by side.

-Tashaunda