The Best Comeback to "You Make Enough Money" When Negotiating

Ever been told, “You make enough money,” when you know your contributions say otherwise? 

👉🏼 This happened to a client who felt frustrated and unsure how to respond, especially because she wants to keep adding value *and* get better paid. 

And let’s acknowledge:

🤦🏾‍♀️ When you’re a woman, a minority in the workplace, you will encounter comments insinuating you should be “grateful” for what you earn now (which makes me so mad… don’t get me started on how sexist that is). 

👉🏼 But here’s the thing: your rebuttal does NOT have to be confrontational. 

👉🏼 There is a proven, battle-tested way to respond with even-keeled, level-headedness that will elevate your leadership presence and create an entry point to the conversation you REALLY want to have.  The conversation about your raise or promotion. 

Watch this one-minute lesson and try it on for size.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Jamie Lee (@jamieleecoach)

In a public place where you don't want to be seen watching an Instagram reel? Or do you prefer reading transcripts over video? I know, I'm like that, too. Below is the full transcript for you.

[Beginning of transcript] 

The value of your contributions is growing every day. So why shouldn't your paycheck as well? Why shouldn't you, a leader in the workplace, be able to close your gender wage gap? 

Now, if you're getting comments in the workplace -- perhaps even by your boss, like, "You make enough money," implying that you should just be grateful and okay with what you're making -- you might feel a little flustered, frustrated, not knowing how to make an entry point to the conversation you really want to have about the pay raise or the promotion. 

So I want to give you a script that you can try on for size. If people are making comments like, "You're making enough money," try this: 

1. Lean back

2. Take a deep breath in, and exhale. 

3. And say, "You know, you're right. I do make enough money. But this isn't really about enoughness. This is really about being compensated in a way that's commensurate with the level of value I bring. Can we have a conversation about that?" 

Try it on and tell me how it goes. And if you want more scripts, tips, and now a fun leadership archetype quiz, come on over to JamieLeeCoach.com

[End of transcript]