Here's how you can use self-awareness to ace salary negotiations.

Self awareness regarding emotional intelligence is a series of steps from a personal perspective as well as the perspectives of others, and the involved system(s) since the fields of practices, studies, and services are vast & diverse with many applicable factors. My outtake is the first aspect regarding one's current stance at work; One should ask, is the position currently satisfactory? Does the position have a pathway to better positions while fulfilling desired goals based on the outcomes? Does the workplace promote one's wellbeing, & ensure they have a form of security (referring to theory X) as well as allowing balanced contributions, as well as incentives/benefits/rewards? If one is able to answer the questions, it will help oneself.

Its important to have an accurate picture of your self worth - but if you grew up in early environments where there was a lot of perfectionism and focus on performance chances are this did not have a chance to develop. If you struggle with this you need a safe enough mirror, and you cannot do this reckoning all by yourself without doubting whether this exercise is vanity. So seek a trusted friend or colleague or mentor to do this with.

When it comes to market value, it can define a broad & vast series of answers as well as the types of market value. Whether capital, fiduciary, socioeconomic, infrastructural, even the interactions that retain market value when perceived by those who need, would like to benefit, or incentivize based on the exchanges. After one studies the categories, topics, & factors, their choices would reflect the overall contribution to the concept of market value, whether as a individual, a designated jobholder, an employer, to even a educator. Meaning they contribute to those factors & result in creating, contributing, retaining, & even applying market value. Lastly, market value can be utilized on behalf of oneself, many, & everyone possible.

Salary negotiation can feel extra emotional if you are say neurodivergent or have a trauma background because it can feel like you are negotiating your self worth, especially when a huge part of your identity is tied to it. Seek adequate support in the lead up to the conversation.

Its a good idea to agree on something beforehand - this gives both parties a chance to expect and be prepared for conversations. Setting expectations is key.

Reading social cues and understanding non-verbal dynamics and the power landscape is a higher order brain function - one that can be impaired or go offline due to survival stress. Go easy on yourself if you find this overwhelming, and again, find a safe enough person to help with this.

Writing notes is a great way to do this - also prepare with a friend, record and play it back so you can pick up non-verbal cues and practice spotting them. Even more important ? Tracking your body cues as you are doing this. The safer you are, the more confident you come across.