#34 A Raise, a Review, and a Bigger Negotiation (Part 1)

Have you ever walked into a performance review knowing you've done exceptional work, only to realize the decision about your compensation may have already been made? Have you wondered how to advocate for a salary increase when the process itself feels unclear—or even nonexistent? And what happens when you discover that the negotiation you thought you were having is actually way more complicated than you originally thought?In Part 1 of this two-part episode, I sit down with Ann, a nonprofit professional who entered a salary negotiation with confidence in her performance, clear evidence of her contributions, and a goal of securing a merit-based raise. But as she dug deeper into her organization's compensation practices, she uncovered a much bigger challenge: a lack of transparency around promotions, raises, and career advancement.In this episode, I'm sharing how to identify the negotiation behind the negotiation, why understanding stakeholders can completely change your strategy, the importance of giving yourself enough runway before a high-stakes conversation, and so much more.If you're preparing for a performance review, considering asking for a raise, or working in an organization where promotion and compensation decisions feel like a black box, this episode offers valuable insights you won't want to miss. Tune in to hear how Ann navigated competing priorities, difficult timing constraints, and a critical decision about what to negotiate first—and why these lessons could save you from making costly mistakes in your own career conversations.And stay tuned for Part 2, where we'll dive into what happened when Ann ultimately moved forward with negotiating for herself within an imperfect system.MENTIONED IN THE EPISODE:⚉ [Podcast] #6 Negotiating Paid Maternity Leave | What if they ask for salary expectations in the job application? - https://www.buzzsprout.com/2323468/episodes/15140435 ⚉ [Podcast] #29 Part 1: The Negotiation That Changed a Company: How Naeha Secured Paid Leave and Paved the Way for Others - https://www.buzzsprout.com/2323468/episodes/18122723 ⚉ [Podcast] #30 Part 2: The Negotiation That Changed a Company: How Naeha Secured Paid Leave and Paved the Way for Others - https://www.buzzsprout.com/2323468/episodes/18228628 —This podcast is a call-in show, so if you or a woman you know needs help in this area, feel free to contact me at [email protected] to submit your questions or join me in our next episode. JOIN THE PRIORITY LIST FOR JOAN’S NEXT COHORT OF THE ADVANCED NEGOTIATION INTENSIVEhttps://course.moonnegotiation.com/Join-the-Priority-ListCONNECT WITH JOAN:⚉ Website: https://www.moonnegotiation.com/ ⚉ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joanmoon413/ ⚉ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/moonnegotiation⚉ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@moonnegotiationJOIN THE MAILING LIST FOR NEWS AND NEGOTIATION TIPS:https://www.moonnegotiation.com/newsletter Send us Fan MailThe Aspire For More podcast and all related content are presented solely for general informational, educational, and entertainment purposes. While Joan strives to provide incisively strategic and research-based content, your listenership does not create a coach-client relationship.Negotiation involves inherent risks. Joan and her guests are not attorneys, financial advisors, or mental health professionals. No part of this show should be taken as a substitute for professional advice tailored to your specific situation. Any action you take based on the information in this podcast is strictly at your own risk, and Moon Negotiation LLC is not liable for any losses or damages in connection with the use of this content.