Yet another newsletter book review! Again, no free books given to me, although they came from the library, so they were technically free. After I paid my fines. Did you know you can now borrow some newer books in e-format (pdf, Kindle, etc)?
Check these books out:
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Keith from our April training recommended 2 books by Linda Babcock and Sara Laschever, "Women Don't Ask" and its sequel, "Ask for It". This book compiles the research done by the authors on the differences in negotiation between the sexes. Right now, the gender wage gap now stands at 77¢ for women for every $1 that men earn, and these authors research shows that this gap could be eliminated if women negotiated to the same extent as men.
In their first book, Babcock and Laschever discuss cultural, societal, and gender stereotypes and expectations regarding females who negotiate. According to their research, women just don’t ask as often, don’t ask as much, and settle sooner than men do. In addition, they frequently look to others to tell them what they deserve and when they deserve it. There are a variety of reasons for these results, including females’ socialization and upbringing, stereotypes about both nice women and bossy women, and a lack of knowledge and skill about negotiating. However, they have seen that when women are taught these negotiating strategies, they are able to negotiate successfully as frequently and for as much as men. Women also have a distinct advantages in that they favor a more collaborative strategy, which produces better outcomes for all, and they make less risky moves or ultimatums in discussions which allows them to successfully negotiate more often.
In their second book, they detail ways that women can improve their negotiating habits and strategies. They cover why you should ask, what you can ask for (hint: everything!), how to figure out what or how much you should be asking for, ways to bargain using what the other side needs, and when and where to ask.
I really enjoyed reading these 2 books. They went very in-depth in this area to truly explore why women don’t ask, and how to help them. I especially loved that both books were chock-full of story after story of women. These stories provided real-life examples of how negotiations are lost and how they are won, and both what you can lose when you don’t ask and the great things you can gain through negotiation. Personally, I identified that I don’t ask for many of their reasons of why women don’t negotiate. I was also very empowered to begin negotiating and in the last few weeks I have (successfully!) asked for several things I would never have thought to do or have the courage to do before reading these books. Everyone - not only, but especially women- should read this book to understand how what you don’t know is holding you back and how you can improve your negotiation strategies . It will open you up to a world of opportunities that are available if you just ask!
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Update: I have begun to take this book to heart. I asked for a free oil change for my inconvenience in coming back to the auto shop - and got it! So empowering. I also wasn't afraid to broach a tricky subject in several conversations now, and have been able to ask for more responsibility in my clinic. I am still a little nervous to deal with financial aid, but I am working up to it. I can't wait to try out many of their suggestions and ask for more things!
How do you feel about negotiating? What are your typical outcomes? And what would you ask for right now if you thought you could get it?
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