In my work delivering seminars on profitable pricing and negotiation, I often speak with women about valuing themselves and their businesses. Possessing a strong sense of self-worth, combined with excellent negotiation skills, is crucial for determining the value you place on yourself and the value others assign to you.
Society frequently measures value through monetary means—your salary in a corporate job or the revenue your business generates as an entrepreneur. In a recent survey, over 65% of respondents agreed that disparities exist in how society values work performed by women compared to men, a finding unsurprising given the documented earnings gap. However, I’ve also observed that women sometimes contribute to this devaluation. How? Let’s consider some examples.
Reflect on the last time you sought a job change, requested a promotion, or bid on a project you desired. When the moment arrived to discuss your desired salary or fee, what happened? Many women admit to engaging in a “psychological one-down.” Instead of confidently asking for what they wanted, they preemptively convinced themselves they wouldn’t get it, leading them to request less than they desired or deserved—often less than what they could have received. This subtly communicates a lack of self-value, influencing how others perceive your worth.
So, how can we break this cycle of undervaluing women’s work and worth?
1. **Assess Your Unique Value:** Identify your distinctive strengths, skills, and contributions.
2. **Develop Essential Skills:** Dedicate time to practicing and honing the skills necessary for your professional goals.
3. **Support Other Women:** Acknowledge and appreciate the value of other women’s contributions.
4. **Eliminate Negative Self-Talk:** Actively work on boosting your self-esteem and replacing negative thoughts with positive affirmations.
5. **Treat Yourself with Respect:** Extend the same respect and value to yourself that you offer to your colleagues.
Ultimately, believe in your worth, and others will recognize it too.