When we talk about asking for a pay rise, it’s easy to think about the numbers, the negotiations, the “what if they say no?” But the doubts start somewhere else - much earlier, in your mindset.

For a lot of women in leadership, there’s a hesitation: “Do I deserve it? Will I come across as pushy? Am I asking for too much?”

These thoughts don’t mean you’re unworthy or unqualified. They mean you’re human, shaped by years of being told to keep your head down and not rock the boat. 

Asking for a pay rise is actually a leadership move. With the right support, through leadership coaching, you can approach your pay rise conversations with confidence, clarity, and purpose.

Before you even start with the first conversation, get clear on what you bring to the table and the value you add. Look at your achievements, the projects you’ve led, and the measurable impact you’ve made. 

Shifting the focus from “asking for more” to “demonstrating your worth,” it’s not bragging. It’s about showing, with plain evidence, why your contribution matters and why it deserves recognition.

When you choose to have the conversation matters. 

Right after a big project? During a performance review? At a moment when your impact is fresh in people’s minds? 

That’s the sweet spot. 

Coaching can give you a safe space to rehearse, plan your words, and anticipate questions. Practicing until it feels natural makes it a lot less nerve-wracking when the actual conversation happens.

Hearing “we can’t do that right now” or “budgets are tight” can be disheartening…but it doesn’t have to derail you. 

Preparation helps you stay calm, confident, and ready to respond strategically. Pushback becomes less of a wall and more of a chance to reinforce your value and demonstrate your leadership skills. You can then negotiate beyond just salary, or keep the conversation open with a scheduled review in a month.

A pay rise isn’t just a number on a payslip. Think about asking for flexible working, training opportunities, increased pension contributions, or stretch projects that expand your experience. 

Working with a coach can help you see the bigger picture so you can ask for what will truly move your career forward. Sometimes the perks you negotiate can have a bigger long-term impact than the immediate salary boost.

Asking for a pay rise is part of a bigger career journey.

Career Coaching helps you build a long-term plan: gaining clarity on direction, reflecting on achievements, setting goals, and finding mentors who have your back. Over time, these conversations become easier, more natural, and more aligned with your bigger ambitions. 

You start to step up, speak up, and claim recognition without hesitation.

Asking for a pay rise is a leadership move. Here at CareerTree Coaching, I help female leaders step up, speak up, and secure the recognition that they deserve.

If you’re ready to get clear, get confident, and take action, book a consultation or join my group leadership coaching programme.

The first step is often the most powerful one of all.