Negotiating with Meggie Palmer, CEO at PepTalkHer

What’s your career story so far?

I'm Meggie Palmer, the CEO of PepTalkHer. I'm a speaker, facilitator, and entrepreneur who is passionate about helping women achieve their full potential.

I started PepTalkHer after my own experience of inequality during my time as a journalist. I was tired of seeing women being paid less and promoted less than men, so I decided to do something about it.

PepTalkHer has now helped over 60,000 women negotiate over $100 million in salary increases. We also partner with Fortune 500 companies to help them recruit, retain, and promote top talent.

I'm proud of what we've accomplished so far, but I know that there's still a lot of work to be done. I'm committed to helping women close the gender pay and leadership gap, and I'm excited to see what the future holds for PepTalkHer.

What types of negotiations have you tackled in your career?

I've negotiated contracts with Fortune 500 companies, speaking engagements, partnerships, and helped thousands of women negotiate their salaries and other aspects of their careers.

What do you think defines a great negotiator? How might it differ from the stereotypes?

A great negotiator is someone who is able to build relationships, understand the needs of both parties, and find creative solutions that benefit everyone involved.

Great negotiators are also good at listening, communicating, and managing their emotions.

Stereotypes about negotiators often portray them as being aggressive, manipulative, and untrustworthy. However, the best negotiators are actually collaborative and ethical. They are focused on building a long-term relationship with the other party, not just winning at all costs.

What’s your style when you negotiate, and how has it evolved?

My style of negotiation is collaborative and relationship-focused. I always try to understand the needs of the other party and to find solutions that benefit everyone involved.

Over time, I've become more confident in my negotiation skills. I've also learned to be more patient and to listen more carefully to the other party.

How do you prepare for a negotiation?

I always prepare for a negotiation by doing my research. I try to learn as much as I can about the other party, their needs, and their interests.

I also think about my own goals and bottom line. What is the minimum that I'm willing to accept? What is my ideal outcome?

Once I've done my research and thought about my goals, I start to develop a negotiation strategy. I think about how I can best present my case and how I can address the other party's concerns.

How do you react to surprises & unexpected developments in a negotiation?

Surprises and unexpected developments are a normal part of negotiation. When this happens, I try to stay calm and collected. I also try to be flexible and to adapt my strategy as needed.

It's important to remember that surprises and unexpected developments don't necessarily mean that the negotiation is over. In fact, they can sometimes be an opportunity to find new and creative solutions.

What are some common negotiation mistakes you see in action?

One of the most common negotiation mistakes is not being prepared. It's important to do your research and to have a clear understanding of your goals and bottom line before going into a negotiation.

Another common mistake is being too focused on your own needs and interests.

It's important to remember that negotiation is a two-way street. You need to be willing to listen to the other party's needs and interests as well.

Finally, another common mistake is being too afraid to say no. It's important to remember that you have the right to walk away from a negotiation if it's not in your best interests.

What other advice would you give to people learning to negotiate for themselves?

My advice to people learning to negotiate for themselves is to practice, practice, practice. The more you negotiate, the better you'll become at it.

I also recommend finding a mentor or coach who can help you develop your negotiation skills.

Finally, remember that negotiation is a skill that takes time and effort to learn. Don't be discouraged if you don't get it perfect right away. Just keep practicing and learning, and you'll eventually become a great negotiator.

What about if they’re negotiating for something bigger than yourself e.g. your organisation?

When negotiating for an organization, it's important to keep the organization's goals and objectives in mind. You should also be mindful of the impact that your negotiations will have on other stakeholders, such as employees, customers, and the community.

It's also important to be transparent and accountable to your stakeholders when negotiating

Are there any resources you’d like to recommend?

Check out our free cheat sheet to help you get a raise: www.peptalkher.com/paymemore

Of course the free PepTalkHer App is a great resource too.