Loyalty Is Just How Companies Underpay You Politely

Read time: 2.5 minutes

TRUTH™ — 5 Strategies for Politely Stopping from Being Underpaid

T—Tracking Your Market Value

Your company will likely not proactively reprice you.

Action step: Touch base with the market every 6 months

Reason: To make yourself aware of where you stand in the current market valuation and to hold your company accountable for how they value your work.

R—Reporting Outcomes, Not Effort

Efforts fade from memory, but outcomes are rewarded.

Action step: Replace task-based wording with results-based wording/events to demonstrate how you can return on a business investment or create a new revenue stream.

Reason: numbers to prove what you actually did.

U—Utilizing External Leverage

Internal promises generally carry minimal urgency without external pressure.

Action step: Keep conversations with recruiters going; keep other options available.

Reason: Provides you with great leverage so that you can navigate your negotiations more easily.

T—Testing Your Limits Early

Career stagnation mostly occurs without much noise.

Action step: Ask directly, "What is going to be a realistic succession plan to get to the next 'level' in my role?”

Reason: Any hesitation in answering this question will provide either clarity on your current role, as well as the level of commitment your current employer is providing you.

H—Holding Emotional Distance

A business is an employee relationship, and not a loyalty contract.

Action step: Protect your career with the same level of discipline and commitment that companies maintain on their budgets.

💡Key Takeaway: 

People notice loyal workers. Companies want to reward you for that loyalty by giving you leverage. However, be careful about mistaking “appreciation” for “payment.