Have you ever felt the pressure to say “yes” to everything? From mentoring and being on hiring committees to spearheading Employee Resource Groups (ERGs), the extra roles women are often asked to take on are undeniably important. These activities help shape our workplaces, support diversity, and provide much-needed mentorship.

But here’s the catch: When we’re asked to do this without recognition, compensation, or the promise of career advancement, we end up in a trap that holds us back. These tasks are valuable, yet they often come at the cost of our own time, energy, and growth opportunities. We are devaluing our expectation of equal pay for women.

And on the flip side, saying “no” isn’t easy either. Many of us feel a sense of guilt or even shame—whether it’s external criticism or an internal narrative that tells us we’re not doing enough to give back or we should be doing it for free.

That’s why I’m excited to partner with Toni Collis, executive coach for women in tech, for an upcoming LinkedIn Live, where we’ll dive deep into why this mindset is still so pervasive and what we can do to change it.

We’ll be discussing:

• The narrative that women should volunteer their time for free and how it reinforces the idea that our contributions are less valuable.
• Why many women hesitate to invest in themselves and how this impacts career advancement.
• The judgment and shame women face when they set boundaries or ask for fair compensation.
• Practical steps to break free from this cycle and advocate for our own worth.

​Watch the replay of Why Are We Still Asking Women to Work for Free here.

Looking forward to seeing you there!

Warmly,

Jossie​
Your Guide to Success in Tech Leadership