6 Negotiation Tactics to Own Your Leadership Role, Tips from 6 Powerhouse Women Leaders
What if women didn’t have to ask for the leadership role they so rightfully deserve? Instead, they could step into it, armed with confidence and a strategy to take on challenges.
Through BossmakeHer, I wanted to help competent and accomplished women negotiate their next big career move. No more tip-toeing around your value; it’s time to assert your value in a way that turns the conversation around.
Here are six negotiation tactics to unapologetically own your leadership role as a woman from leaders who have done it, in their words…
- Claim Your Value
- Celebrate Your Wins, Don’t Hide Them
- Position Your Value to Drive Organizational Success
- Build Powerful Alliances with Key Advocates
- Own Your Worth and Command Respect
- Be the Answer, Not the Ask
Claim Your Value, Kellianne Fedio
Leadership roles aren’t handed out by coincidence or as a favor—it’s earned by knowing what you bring to the table. When I negotiated my position, I didn’t just highlight my skills; I made it clear how my unique blend of expertise—whether it was in AI, branding, or digital marketing—directly impacted bottom-line growth. I anchored every conversation in measurable outcomes: revenue, market share, and efficiency. By shifting the focus away from “what I want” to “what the organization stands to gain,” I made a compelling, business-driven case for my leadership.
For women aiming for similar roles, preparation is everything. Don’t just know your worth—know the numbers, the data, the impact. Frame your contributions in terms of measurable, tangible results. Understand the role you’re vying for, and show how your expertise aligns perfectly with the business’s needs. This positions you as not just a candidate—but a strategic asset.
In the negotiation room, don’t just tell them what you want—become part of the solution. Ask direct, insightful questions like: “What challenges are you looking to address at the leadership level, and how can my experience help solve them?” This reframes the conversation from a mere request to a partnership, positioning you as the answer to their problems.
One of the most effective strategies that worked for me was demonstrating how my leadership could streamline operations and free up valuable resources. It’s not just about what you can deliver—it’s about showing how your presence empowers the entire team to perform at their best.
Kellianne Fedio
Founder
Own Your Achievements, Swetha Sitaraman
Securing that leadership role doesn’t happen by accident. It’s the result of intentional work, growth, and, most importantly, the visibility of your value. One strategy that truly helped me was something simple yet often overlooked—documenting every single accomplishment. Whether it was a breakthrough project, positive colleague feedback, or data showing how I moved the needle, I kept a log of it all. Not to brag, but to make sure that when the time came to claim my worth, I had the evidence to back it up.
Here’s the thing: women often hold back from sharing their wins because we’ve been conditioned to think that self-promotion equals arrogance. But that mindset is holding you back. Discussing your contributions isn’t about boasting—it’s about making sure your impact doesn’t go unnoticed. Think about it: if you don’t highlight what you’ve done, how will anyone else?
By keeping a running list of accomplishments—big or small—I always had a story to tell, a real, tangible example that proved my value. And it wasn’t just useful for my current role; it gave me the confidence to step into any future leadership conversations with undeniable proof of my impact. If a leadership role wasn’t available right now, I didn’t sit around waiting for someone to notice. I had the receipts to show my worth, and that opened doors for opportunities, both inside and outside my organization.
To every woman out there ready for that next level: Don’t hide your brilliance. Make it visible. Don’t wait for the “perfect” moment to share your successes—be proactive. When the time comes to discuss your career progression, let your accomplishments tell the story of your impact. Because if you’re not showing up for your success, who will?
Swetha Sitaraman, Lead
Thought Leadership
Align Your Value with the Bigger Picture, Denida Grow
In a world where women in leadership roles in physical security are still a rare sight, I knew that simply proving I was qualified wasn’t going to cut it. To secure my place, I had to make it clear that the value I brought was not just a fit for the company—it was the key to their future success. I wasn’t just negotiating for a job; I was positioning myself as a solution to their most pressing problems.
It all started with understanding not only the company’s goals but also their pain points and client needs. I didn’t walk in asking for a role—I walked in with a plan that showcased how my skills could drive results. In an industry where women are often seen as outsiders, I flipped the script and turned my gender into an asset. I knew I was the answer they were looking for, and I made sure they saw that, too.
To all the women out there chasing leadership roles: stop waiting for permission to own your expertise. Don’t let anyone make you feel like your value is negotiable. Here’s the game-changer: shift the conversation from a simple negotiation to a collaboration. You’re not just another applicant—you’re the partner they need. When I pitched myself, I didn’t just talk about what I could do; I framed the role as a mutually beneficial partnership where both the company and I would succeed.
Denida Grow, Managing Partner
Protection and Intelligence Solutions
Build Your Network Before You Need It, Elisha Peterson
Securing a leadership role doesn’t start when you walk into the negotiation room—it starts well before, in the relationships you’ve carefully nurtured and the strategic choices you’ve made. For women, sponsorship is everything. These are the individuals with influence who can open doors, not only to roles but to opportunities that may never even appear on the job board. If you’re serious about reaching the top, you need more than allies—you need advocates.
I wasn’t waiting for a leadership position to land in my lap. I intentionally cultivated relationships with powerful decision-makers, aligning myself with their key priorities. This wasn’t just about networking—it was about positioning myself as someone who understood their vision and had the skills to bring it to life. I made sure my work was directly tied to their goals, making it impossible to overlook the impact I was having.
One of the strategies that worked wonders for me was identifying the decision-makers early on and taking the initiative to contribute to the projects they were most invested in. This wasn’t about doing more work—it was about doing the right work, in the right places, so the right people could see my potential. By delivering results in high-visibility projects, I built my credibility and earned the trust of those who ultimately became my advocates when it came time for leadership discussions.
Elisha Peterson, MD, MEd, FAAP, FASA
Anesthesiologist and Pain Medicine Physician
Know and Assert Your Worth, Heather O’Connor
During my third or fourth interview with a law firm, the Managing Partner asked me where else I had applied. I responded, “Nowhere.” He leaned back in his chair, crossed his arms, and smirked, “So you have all your eggs in this one basket?” I leaned in toward him, smiled, and said, “Oh no. I have all my eggs in my own basket since I intend to open my own firm if this doesn’t work out. So this job—this is my backup plan.” The owner offered me the position on the spot. My advice to other women is to know your own worth and unapologetically expect others to see your value as well.
Heather O’Connor
CEO & Founding Attorney
Become the Solution, Not a Request, Stacey Tapping
What if you didn’t ask for a leadership role, but instead, you became the solution to a problem they didn’t even know they had? The key to successful negotiation—especially as a woman aiming for a leadership role—is shifting the mindset from requesting opportunities to positioning yourself as indispensable.
The reality is, when you know your worth, you stop begging for a seat at the table. You start showing that your time, skills, and expertise are worth more than a paycheck—they’re worth results. People should be the ones asking for your time, not the other way around. When you position yourself as the solution to a company’s challenges, opportunities will gravitate towards you.
Don’t fall into the trap of thinking you need to work overtime to prove yourself. It’s not about working harder—it’s about working smarter. Your ability to deliver results, while maintaining balance, speaks volumes about your leadership potential. You don’t need to exhaust yourself or beg for recognition. You simply need to show how you can achieve what others can’t within your own time frame and boundaries.
Stacey Tapping
Founder
Stepping into your leadership role starts with knowing your worth and confidently negotiating your value. I’m passionate about helping you do just that.
As the founder of Bossmakeher, I invite you to visit www.bossmakeher.com for more tips, success stories, and resources to boost your journey.
Let’s break barriers and own our leadership together!
Tracy Saunders,
Founder, CEO
BossmakeHer Inc.
