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Real-time Dilemma: You're an experienced professional "asked" to take on more responsibility to "prove" yourself for the next level. The Case: a 50-year old woman CPA took over the director's position of tax for a large textile company a year ago. She was told she'd have to "prove herself" in order to become a vice-president like the other six vice-presidents (all men). Eager to move up, she takes the job and hopes that she'll soon get the title and raise (she earns 2/3's the salary of the other directors). The Dilemma: She feels undervalued. And she is. She is part victim but also part culprit. She undervalues herself. She shouldn't be proving herself at this point in her career and letting her boss get away with such delay. She has to be profoundly afraid he'll retract his offer or fire her. She has to face herself first and learn to take care of herself, instead of hoping he'll do it for her. The Resolution: Doing your job is the easiest part of working. The harder part is building relationships with your bosses, knowing your own worth and negotiating for yourself. Good things don't always come to those who wait, but rather those who ask. Her boss and the six other VP's believe they belong and have created their own private club with perks and protective advantages that include keeping others out. She has to acknowledge that she belongs too. Should she have taken the job under those circumstances? No. But she did, so she must work to position herself up. Will she be fired for trying? Probably not, since she's obviously technically competent. She has to start presenting herself as "one of them." She can't hide anymore. First, she can chart the responsibilities of all the other vice presidents along with their salaries. Then, she needs to talk to her boss in a direct way and schedule time to meet. Point out the similarities of projects, client-contact, business, but underscore the differences; title and salary. If her boss protests, tell him that he's a great leader, that the company enjoys a fine reputation, that she has the company's interests at heart and has performed like a partner, but that her banking clients wonder why "VP" isn't on her card when it is on theirs. Doesn't this company take their business seriously? If it's more experience that's necessary, ask to be included in the quarterly council meetings where policy decisions are made. Say that it's time for the company to value her role in its success now. The risk of talking straight is that of rejection: either he'll turn you down or out. If he does, you have to be prepared to walk out...and let him worry about the next step. If he doesn't give in to some demands now, she has to come to terms...and better to know sooner than later. Give in or find another company. My Bet: Her boss will give her the title (it's free) and space out her compensation over the next year or so. She could take the title, pin him down on money, and begin, big time, to network with the Team and with clients and competitors. |
