Have you ever felt stuck in your career, wondering why others around you are getting promoted while you’re still waiting for your moment?
Have you ever told yourself, If I just work harder, someone will notice—only to find that no one does?
I’ve been there. And so has my guest on this week’s episode of From a Woman to a Leader, Tabatha Jones.
For 10 years, Tabatha took on more responsibilities, led teams, and even earned a degree—all while remaining in the same role.
Like so many women, she believed that hard work alone would lead to the recognition and promotion she deserved.
But the truth?
No one is coming to rescue your career. You have to advocate for yourself.
The Turning Point: A Lesson in Self-Worth
Tabatha’s wake-up call came in the form of a shockingly low job offer after a company reorganization.
Despite already doing the work of a senior manager, she was offered a measly 4% raise.
That was the moment she realized she had been undervaluing herself—and allowing others to do the same.
Instead of accepting it, she did something bold:
✅ She said no.
✅ She walked into a higher-level conversation.
✅ She negotiated a 15% raise and a senior title—on the spot.
That single decision changed the trajectory of her career.
She went on to earn multiple promotions and ultimately reached a director-level position, and now she helps other women do the same.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode
If you’re ready to stop waiting and start owning your career, this episode is for you.
Here’s what we dive into:
✔️ Why hard work alone isn’t enough to get you promoted
✔️ The biggest mistakes women make in self-advocacy
✔️ How to confidently ask for what you deserve in salary negotiations
✔️ How to make sure you are seen as the obvious choice for leadership roles
✔️ The mindset shift that will change how you see your own value
The Hard Truth: You Have to Speak Up
One of the biggest challenges women face is self-promotion. We’ve been taught to be humble, to let our work speak for itself.
But in the workplace, if you don’t advocate for yourself, no one else will.
As Tabatha shared in our conversation, women often hesitate to take credit for their work, while men confidently state their accomplishments—even if they had less to do with the success.
It’s time to change that.
Actionable Steps to Start Advocating for Yourself
1️⃣ Keep a list of your wins. Track your accomplishments, metrics, and impact. This will help you confidently talk about your value.
2️⃣ Speak up in meetings. Share your ideas, contributions, and successes. Don’t let others take credit for your work.
3️⃣ Ask for what you want. Whether it’s a raise, a promotion, or a leadership opportunity—make your intentions clear.
4️⃣ Practice salary negotiation. The next time you’re offered a role, confidently state your expectations and embrace the power of silence after making your ask.
5️⃣ Stop waiting for permission. You are already capable, ready, and deserving. The only person who needs to believe it is you.
It’s Time to Take Control
I wish I had heard this episode 20 years ago. If you’ve ever hesitated to take credit for your work, struggled with self-promotion, or felt like you were waiting for permission to level up—this conversation is for you.
🔊 Listen now and start advocating for the career you deserve: https://limorbergman.com/podcast/
💬 What’s one way you’ve successfully advocated for yourself at work? Drop a comment below—I’d love to hear your stories!
#WomenInTech #CareerGrowth #SalaryNegotiation #SelfAdvocacy #Leadership #FromAWomanToALeader
About Tabatha
Tabatha Jones is the CEO of Empowered Leadership Coaching, a Career Advancement & Leadership Coach, and an author dedicated to helping ambitious women break through career barriers.
With 20+ years of leadership experience, she transitioned from corporate America into coaching at age 50, where she now empowers women to build unshakable confidence, secure promotions faster, and position themselves as top candidates for advancement.
She specializes in working with Gen-X women who are done playing small and want to make the next years the best of their career.
💡 Get in touch & access resources:
🌎 Website: https://www.empowered-leader.com/
🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tabatha-jones-4485854/
📊 Free Resource – GenX Promotion Planning Assessment: https://www.empowered-leader.com/promotionassessment
📖 Book – Promotion Ready in 3 Months: The Women’s Guide to Career Advancement: https://a.co/d/gpoqjNw
About Limor Bergman Gross
I’m Limor Bergman Gross, a former Director of Engineering with over 20 years of experience in the tech industry. Today, I’m passionate about mentoring and coaching women in tech, helping them break through barriers and advance their careers.
Through my podcast, From a Woman to a Leader, I share conversations with inspiring women who provide actionable strategies to help you thrive in tech leadership roles.
🎧 Listen to the full episode: limorbergman.com/podcast
🔗 Connect with me:
- Website: limorbergman.com
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/limorbergman/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/limorbergman
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/LimorBergman
- Newsletter: limorbergman.com/newsletter
