Have you ever wondered what it takes to land a promotion?

Do you count yourself among the many women who feel ready to take on a higher-level role but are waiting for the opportunity to present itself?

Join an exclusive group coaching teleclass and discover what it really takes to get promoted!

Perhaps you have asked yourself:

• What is the best way to market myself as an ideal candidate for promotion?
• What is holding me back from being considered?
• What are key elements of a successful personal PR campaign?
• How do I prepare to have a difficult conversation with my management?
• How do I show that I am qualified for a higher-level job than the one I am in today?
• How do I communicate what’s in it for my company?

Would you like to learn about what other women have done to advance their careers?

Join us beginning Tuesday, March 29, for our 8-week group coaching teleclass and learn what it takes to break into leadership. Learn more and register now

Coming to Dallas on May 6: Poised for Leadership workshop

Are you in Dallas? Wondering what it really takes to break into leadership?

If so, you are invited to join me on May 6 at Poised For Leadership, a one-day workshop for women who want to create a roadmap into positions of responsibility, influence and leadership in business. Learn more and register



Jo Miller is CEO of Women’s Leadership Coaching Inc. Through leadership workshops, coaching programs and webinars, Jo helps women create their roadmap into leadership positions in business.

Ask Jo: Should I go to leadership training?

Question: My manager has recommended that I attend leadership training, however, I am happy in my existing job and not sure if I want to move into management. Should I go to the training?

Jo Miller answers:

Years ago, I was preparing to deliver a leadership workshop for thirty women in a large telecommunications company. They had been selected by management, who had identified them as “high potential” and told they were required to go to training. Needless to say, not all were happy to be told they had to take two days out for yet another soft-skills training when they were understaffed and had a mountain of work to get through.

A few days before the class, I was reviewing their answers to a pre-workshop questionnaire. One of the questions I asked them to answer was “Why is being a leader important to you?”. Reading the responses, I felt dispirited because apparently being a leader was not that important to them. They just wanted to make the biggest difference they could at work every day.

What is the definition of Leader?

Then came my ‘Aha’ moment! In their answers, they had defined what it means to be a leader. Being a leader does not mean having a management job title or a team of employees reporting to you, or climbing the ladder to a certain grade level . A leader is someone who is committed to making a difference that is greater than one person could make alone.

Regardless of your job title, do you aspire to make a positive impact? Do you want to make the greatest difference you can? If so, you will surely reach a point in your career where you want to make something happen that is bigger than you are able to accomplish through your own effort. You will need skills like the ability to effectively articulate your idea, and get collaborators on board. You will need to know ways to help everyone stay focused and motivated while they work toward a common goal.

Leadership skills are also life skills

Whether your future career path as an individual contributor, technical leader or people leader, will there be times when you need to work with others to complete something that not one of the players could accomplish through solo effort? If so, I encourage you to take the class.

As we celebrate International Women’s Day and Women’s History Month, I reflect on how our world will benefit from having more strong women leaders in industry, government and community organizations. Even if you never use the skills professionally, you will have many opportunities in your life outside work to make a difference by collaborating with others. Leadership skills are essential life skills for anyone who hopes to make a positive impact in their work, family, community, or any area of life.

As CEO of Women's Leadership Coaching, Inc., Jo Miller helps women create their roadmap into leadership positions in business, and offers low-cost leadership webinars for executives and emerging leaders.

To read more of her career advice, visit the Ask Jo archives.

From the article archive: Working through Tough Salary Negotiations

Question: I have been interviewing for a position for which I meet all qualifications. They gave a salary range and asked what my salary expectations are, and I successfully avoided answering. However in my last interview, they asked what I am currently paid, which is below the market rate. How can I negotiate to be paid what I am worth?

Jo Miller answers:

You have done well to delay speaking about salary.

When you get to salary negotiations, ask for the highest salary in their range, and explain, “I believe I am uniquely qualified for the position because…” Then, give three or four brief bullet points explaining why you are highly qualified, and the best match for the position.

If they then offer you less, say, “Hmmm. Is that your best offer?” Then go silent, let them do the talking. If they put the ball back in your court, say, “I believe I am worth top of your range because…” and repeat your previously mentioned bullet points. Then go silent and let them talk.

If they ask what you currently make, continue deflecting their question. A savvy and diplomatic answer is, “I expect that if we decide this is the right match, we will come to a mutual agreement on my salary.” If they persist, explain that among your reasons for leaving your current position is the below-market salary. Remind the employer that you expect your qualifications to be rewarded at a fair-market rate.


Jo Miller is CEO of Women's Leadership Coaching, Inc. Through leadership workshops, coaching programs and webinars, Jo helps women create their roadmap into leadership positions in business.