Loud Thinking

Establish Your Worth Before Negotiating a Raise

When negotiating for a raise, it’s pretty standard to begin by listing your achievements to lead up to a big reveal. But this “ta-da!” approach can make you seem childish and needy, and catch your boss off-guard. Instead, establish a monthly check-in with your supervisor to update him about what you’re doing and where you’re headed. This shows momentum, and managers will reward that. And when it’s time to negotiate, you won’t need to toot your own horn — your counterpart will already know where you’re coming from and be more inclined to hear you out.

Adapted by HBR from “ 6 Tips for Reluctant Negotiators” by Whitney Johnson.