Stop Settling for Less!

If you have leverage, you should use it.

If you settle for less, people may begin to treat you as though you are worth less.

When I was working as a substitute at a school, I met a staff member who had spent years trying to get the school district to pay him what he believed he deserved. No matter how many emails he sent or how many people he spoke with, they always told him, "We'll get back to you." Then they never did.

This continued for three years.

One day, I asked him about it. He said, "They still haven't paid me what they owe me. They keep telling me they'll give me a raise, but nothing happens. I've sent hundreds of emails and texts, written letters, and spoken with every manager I can find. Nobody is taking me seriously."

I told him, "You do a lot for this campus. If you weren't here, these students would be out of control. You enforce the rules and bring order, so you have leverage. You need to use it. Tell them you're prepared to find another job. Write your resignation letter and let them know you're serious."

He said, "I've already tried that."

I asked, "Are you sure? Because if you really tried it, why are you still waiting for a raise?"

He paused and said, "Gene, you know why I won't resign? Because I know that if I leave, they'll hire the next person and pay him what I know I deserve."

That statement revealed everything.

They continued to treat him as though he was worth less because he had already convinced himself that he could not leave. As long as they believed he would stay no matter what, they had no reason to change.

You too maybe in a situation where you know that you deserve more. Someone is undervaluing you, and you may be accepting it because you have started to see yourself the same way.

If that describes you.