Why do some people seem to glide through negotiations while others feel stuck, frustrated, or overlooked?

Why is it that even highly capable professionals—especially women—sometimes walk away from opportunities undervalued and underpaid?

The truth is, negotiation isn’t just about what you do in the room, it’s also about the habits and mindsets you bring with you long before the conversation starts.

In a recent discussion, women’s leadership coach Stephanie Aitken and I unpacked the subtle but powerful traps women often fall into when preparing for negotiations. The insights highlight not just what to do—but what to stop doing if you want to position yourself for success.



ABOUT THE GUEST

Stephanie Aitken is a consultant, trainer, speaker, and coach, as well as the founder of Stephanie Aitken Consulting and the Gender Harmony Collective, an initiative designed to move beyond traditional gender equality toward true inclusivity. With over 25 years of professional experience, she began her career as an in-house lawyer for MTV and Channel 4, working on major projects such as the MTV Music Awards, Apple iTunes, and Stand Up to Cancer.

Driven by her passion for people’s growth, she retrained in neuro-linguistic programming, coaching, and transformational facilitation, later delivering interpersonal skills training for organizations including Network Rail, Dentons, Fieldfisher, and Barclays. She went on to serve as a lead trainer at One of Many, then the UK’s largest women’s personal development company, where she guided large groups through transformational programmes and honed her expertise as a speaker and facilitator.

Stephanie now specializes in women’s leadership development and inclusive workplace strategies, creating targeted coaching, workshops, and organizational programmes that accelerate women’s careers while fostering environments where equity benefits everyone. Her mission is to evolve gender equality into a model where all employees can thrive, amplifying both individual potential and organizational success.


MENTIONED IN THE EPISODE:

⚉ [Article] Are You Taking on Too Many Non-Promotable Tasks? - https://hbr.org/2022/04/are-you-taking-on-too-many-non-promotable-tasks 


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This podcast is a call-in show, so if you or a woman you know needs help in this area, feel free to contact me at joan@moonnegotiation.com to submit your questions or join me in our next episode. 


JOIN THE PRIORITY LIST FOR JOAN’S NEXT COHORT OF THE ADVANCED NEGOTIATION INTENSIVE
https://course.moonnegotiation.com/Join-the-Priority-List

CONNECT WITH STEPHANIE:
⚉ Website: https://www.stephanieaitken.com/ 
⚉ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aitkenstephanie/ 

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