#42 – Knock on That Door: Negotiating the Salary You Deserve, as Told by Three’s Company
Description
One question that comes up time and again when people start learning negotiation is: okay, but how do I negotiate my own salary?
This week on S4N, Gene takes a close look at that question through the lens of a well-known Hollywood standoff with surprisingly relevant lessons for today’s professionals: the salary dispute that led to Suzanne Somers’ abrupt exit from the iconic sitcom Three’s Company.
This episode explores what went wrong, how it could have gone differently, and what it all means for anyone negotiating compensation – whether you’re managing a team or advocating for yourself. Gene digs into the strategic and interpersonal mistakes made on both sides and connects them directly to the kinds of conversations people face in today’s workplaces.
Why did a key cast member on a hit show lose her role – and what does that mean for anyone walking into a compensation discussion today?
This episode clearly and practically highlights what matters most in salary negotiations: timing, tone, leverage, and facts. It’s a cautionary tale, but also a useful guide for anyone looking to approach their next potentially contentious negotiation with more confidence and clarity.
Remember: negotiation is life.
Mentioned in this episode:
- Producer Ted Bergmann on Suzanne Somers' contract negotiations on "Three's Company"
- Come and Knock on Our Door: A Hers and Hers and His Guide to "Three's Company" by Chris Mann
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