Lead with Levity

Don’t Leave Money on the Table: Insider Secrets from a Fortune 500 Recruiter

Heather Walker, Ph.D. Episode 158

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If you've ever played it safe during a job offer—or stayed silent when you knew you deserved more—this episode is your wake-up call. Dr. Heather Walker sits down with salary negotiation expert John Gates, founder of Salary Coach, to reveal the insider strategies companies use to save money... at your expense.

With decades of recruiting experience and over 75,000 job offers under his belt, John shares how you can negotiate more money, more flexibility, and a bigger title—without risking your offer or your relationships. From navigating the application box that asks for your salary expectations, to the under-the-radar power of political sponsorship, John breaks it all down with precision and empathy.

Whether you’re aiming for a raise, a new role, or a seat at the leadership table, this episode delivers the clarity and courage you need to stop playing small and start commanding what you’re truly worth.

🎧 Listen in to learn:

  • Why negotiation starts before you even apply
  • How to position yourself as the obvious choice (even in a saturated market)
  • The exact moment to ask for a raise—and when it’s too late
  • How to make yourself promotable without begging for it
  • What most onboarding programs miss (and how to reverse-engineer your first-year success)

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