Episode•January 30, 2020•20 min

Mindset and The Art of Negotiation with Teddi Rene' | Ep. 26

Do you have a fixed or growth mindset? Tiffany and Teddi discuss the differences and how to use your mindset at the negotiation table. They both drop gems on how to successfully negotiate that new job, raise, or even just benefits. Be sure to have a pen and paper ready! About Our Guest Teddi Rene’ is an expert in creating strategic and efficient systems to achieve personal and business goals. Specializing in goal planning and management Teddi Rene’ has helped 100s of business owners, entrepreneurs, bloggers, family, and friends do the things that they say they want to do. Combining her years of expertise in Behavior Modification, Systems Engineering, and Strategic Planning with her desire to affect change, Teddi had dedicated her life to helping Black women utilize best practices to achieve their career goals, eliminate procrastination, and master their mindset. She is the Founder and CEO of United Kweendom, a community that matches Black women with mentors, coaches, and experts to help them address and overcome their unique combination of life challenges. A proud mother of two, Teddi Rene’ has mastered strategic life integration as a working professional, entrepreneur, and thought-leader as she encourages other women of color to build their “Kweendom.” Follow her on Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/teddirene Follow her on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/teddi_rene Follow her on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/teddirene Links Visit Teddi's website: https://www.teddirene.com Connect with Tiffany on Social Media Facebook: Money Talk With Tiff Twitter: @moneytalkwitht Instagram: @moneytalkwitht LinkedIn: Tiffany Grant YouTube: Money Talk With Tiff Channel Pinterest: Money Talk With Tiff This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy

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Key Takeaways

1
Shift from a fixed to a growth mindset to unlock negotiation power
Fixed mindset believes abilities and worth are innate; growth mindset believes skills and value can be developed
Many people, especially Black women, are taught limiting beliefs that prevent them from asking for more
Teddi helps clients identify limiting beliefs and translate them into empowering affirmations
2
Know exactly what you need before entering any negotiation
Calculate your true living expenses including car, daycare, household bills, and sanity needs
Research salary ranges on sites like PayScale using your background and education
Always ask for more than the stated range—companies can shift budgets for valuable candidates
3
Research the full compensation package, not just salary
Ask about PTO vs. sick days, 401k matching percentages, bonuses, and review processes
Compare benefits to your current package—sometimes lower salary with better benefits wins
Request the full benefits package after receiving an offer letter and review it thoroughly
4
Stay silent and let the employer make the first offer
Never disclose current or desired salary—answer questions without oversharing
Tiffany tripled her salary by repeatedly saying "it's negotiable" instead of naming a number
The first person to speak loses; use silence strategically after receiving an offer
5
Price-tag every extra burden the role places on you
Longer commute, toxic culture, or extra work to be seen as equal all deserve compensation
If you must work harder than peers to be treated equally, demand extra pay for that labor
Everything that affects your life and family has a monetary value in negotiation

Intro

Tiffany Grant welcomes Teddi Rene', founder of United Kweendom, to discuss how mindset shapes negotiation outcomes and career advancement.
Teddi Rene' is a systems engineer and strategic planner specializing in goal achievement for Black women. She combines behavior modification expertise with systems engineering to help clients eliminate procrastination and master their mindset.

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– Mindset: Fixed vs. Growth

Teddi explains that her background in psychology and behavior modification shapes her approach to mindset work. She helps clients identify limiting beliefs often rooted in systemic messages that they are not worthy of more.

We all, it's built into us that we can't have more or not worth more. We're not more valuable than what someone else has.
– Teddi Rene'

Tiffany introduces the fixed vs. growth mindset framework: fixed mindset assumes traits are innate and unchangeable; growth mindset believes anything can be learned and developed.

– Negotiation Tip #1: Know What You Need

Teddi's first rule: never enter negotiations blindly. Research the company, role, compensation structure, and culture before applying.

Know what you need before you go in, regardless of what the job is or who it's for.
– Teddi Rene'

She shares her past mistake of accepting a job at Penny simply because she was grateful, only to need multiple jobs to cover work-related expenses like car and daycare.

– Negotiation Tip #2: Ask Questions and Price-Tag Everything

Ask about PTO policies, commute impact, company culture, and whether you'll face extra barriers. Every additional burden has a price tag.

If I'm coming into a culture that I'm going to have to work harder in than the person standing next to me, you're going to have to pay me for that.
– Teddi Rene'

Always ask for more than the top of their stated range. Budgets are flexible when they truly value a candidate.

– The Power of Silence in Negotiation

Tiffany shares how she tripled her salary by refusing to name a number and repeatedly saying "it's negotiable."

The first person who talks loses.
– Tiffany Grant

Teddi reinforces: answer questions without oversharing. Let them make the first offer, then counter with a significant increase.

– Evaluate the Full Compensation Package

Salary is only one piece. Request the full benefits package and compare 401k matching, bonuses, review processes, and insurance details.

Sometimes it may look nice... but you're also losing out on your 401k matching because this company only matches three percent but your current company matches seven percent.
– Teddi Rene'

Tiffany notes she has accepted lower salaries when benefits were significantly better.

Resources

Topics

negotiationsalary negotiationmindsetgrowth mindsetcareer developmentBlack women in businesspersonal financebenefits packagesjob offersbehavior modification