Have you ever been at work and felt unappreciated?

Last week I spoke with Nicole, a woman in her early thirties with an MBA that owns her own home and has been working for the same company for the past 7 years.

Nicole was frustrated that she got a promotion over a year ago, received a new title at work, has a new corner office- but has not gotten a pay increase. She explained that all of the other “managers” at her company are earning 10-15% more annually, and have roles that are similar to hers.

Guess what else all of her co-workers are that that she is not?  Male and 50= years old.

However, when talking about the other managers she said “they all go out to lunch. It would be awkward for me to go, I’d be the only female. I usually go to lunch with some of the other women in the office: the assistants and people in customer service.”

I don’t doubt that it would be awkward for Nicole to an all-male attend lunch with her co-workers. But, over time it would become the new normal. I am not suggesting that she abandon her female friends/co-workers. I am recommending that she push through the discomfort:

1.) Go out to lunch the other older, male managers.

2.) Ask for the raise you deserve.

In life, as in work, we all choose how much we think we are worth and where we fit in. Make your choices and live life accordingly. Constant rule, even the unspoken ones, following is condoning mediocrity. Don’t submit and compromise your worth.