Are Women Actually the Best Negotiators?

Women are already expert negotiators—they just don’t always realize it.

This episode of Kick It Open starts with a simple but powerful text: a reminder that negotiation isn’t just for boardrooms—it’s a skill women use every single day.

Host Shelby Nicholl is joined by Kathryn Valentine, CEO of Worth More Strategies, to break down the science of negotiation and why traditional advice often fails women. Kathryn shares research-backed insights, personal stories, and a holistic negotiation strategy designed to increase impact without increasing burnout.

This conversation covers:
✅ Why women already have the skills to be rockstar negotiators
✅ How to advocate for yourself as effectively as you advocate for others
✅ The power of body language, silence, and understanding what the other party values
✅ A game-changing reframe of stress and “non-promotable” tasks—so you can ask for (and get) the resources you need

If negotiation has ever felt stressful or intimidating, this episode will change the way you see it—and show you why you’re already more skilled than you think.

Resources mentioned in the episode:
To access Kathryn’s courses and the “75 Things to Negotiate” visit her website at: https://worthmorestrategies.com/

Claudia Goldin’s book Career and Family is incredible!  A bit of a history lesson but full of great info we should all know.

Linda Babcock, Brena Peyser, Lise Veterlund and Laurie Weingart’s collective book “The No Club: Putting a Stop to Women’s Dead End Work”

Produced by Shelby Nicholl. Edited by Aaron Sherman. Graphic Design by John Gallagher.

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/ra/let-good-times-roll License code: EV5ON7Y3CSESDSEU