WIB-Chicago: Women in Negotiations – The Answer Is in the Room, October 25 2023

On October 25, 2023, WIB-Chicago hosted a virtual event entitled Women in Negotiations – The Answer Is in the Room. It was a privilege to have over 50 engaged attendees join us for an enriching discussion led by four esteemed panelists. We began with a poll, revealing that 76% of participants experienced some level of discomfort when negotiating.

Paulette Barrett eloquently delved into the historical factors affecting women’s negotiation practices, shedding light on the progress being made while emphasizing the need for continued improvement. Sarah Nunez expanded on the various professional opportunities where negotiation plays a pivotal role, providing valuable insights into key negotiation points such as salary, benefits, and titles. Linda Kim shared invaluable strategies for achieving a healthy work-life balance, emphasizing effective communication, task prioritization, and calendar management. Nancy Hedlund offered a real-life example of negotiation in a personal context, guiding us through a comprehensive 5-step negotiation cycle. Her emphasis on efficiency in navigating these stages left a lasting impression.

The interactive Q&A session that followed was a testament to the engaged audience. In closing, each panelist shared a nugget of wisdom on negotiations, underscoring the empowering nature of this skill for women. In all, it was a well-attended and remarkably successful event. We tackled important topics and provided actionable steps to enhance negotiation skills. Let’s continue to support one another in this empowering journey.