How Do You Tell Someone They’re Not Getting a Raise This Year?

Money conversations are never neutral but they can be really straightforward and empathetic. In this mini episode, we tackle one of the toughest moments in leadership: telling someone they are not getting a raise.

We break down how to lead with clarity instead of overexplaining, why the core compensation message needs to come first, and how sticking to the facts actually builds more trust. You will hear how to prepare your rationale, when to stop talking, and why empathy is your most powerful tool once the reaction comes.

We also unpack a common dilemma: Should performance reviews and compensation discussions happen together or separately? If you want your feedback to land, timing matters.

If compensation season makes you nervous, this episode gives you a simple, steady framework to handle it with confidence and care.

Want to Ask Us a Question? We’re taking real questions from real managers and people leaders. Email us at dearlandl@elevateleadership.com, and we just might feature yours in a future episode.

Learn more about our solutions at https://www.elevateleadership.com/

Connect with Lindsey on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lindseynehls/

Connect with Lucy on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucy-georgiades-84933622/

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