Own Your Worth... Without the Guilt or Awkwardness

You’re Not a Cheap Knockoff, So Stop Selling Yourself Like One.

 Ever hesitate to speak up in a meeting? 

 Second-guess asking for a raise? 

 Brush off a compliment with, “Oh, it was nothing!”?

Yeah, same. 

Owning your worth can feel awkward as hell. We’re taught to be humble, not rock the boat, and for the love of all things professional, not come across as arrogant. 

Think about this one: you wouldn’t buy a designer handbag for $20 and think it’s the real deal, would you? So why are you treating your own value like a discount item?

🔹 Fear of being “too much” keeps you playing small.

🔹 Not recognizing your worth lets others dictate it for you.

🔹 Your company isn’t paying you for hours; they’re paying you for impact.

When you own your worth, you show up differently—more confident, more engaged, and (bonus!) positioned to demand more in return.

So let’s talk about how to do that without feeling like an imposter or a diva.

That Uncomfortable Feeling? It’s Growth Knocking.

Here’s the thing about owning your worth—it can feel cringey at first. We worry about looking entitled, making people uncomfortable, or worst of all... getting rejected.

But that discomfort? It’s a sign that you’re stretching into a stronger version of yourself.

Think of it like working out. The first few push-ups feel awful, your arms shake, and you wonder if it’s worth it. But push through, and suddenly you’re stronger. Same with self-worth.

So, if the thought of advocating for yourself makes you break into a sweat—good! That means you’re on the right track.

Leadership Insight: People Can’t Deliver Their Best If They Don’t Feel Valued

Leaders, listen up. If your people aren’t stepping up, it might not be a talent issue—it might be a worth issue.

Too many organizations reward busyness over brilliance, making employees feel like cogs in a machine instead of contributors to something bigger. Here’s how you might be (unintentionally) undermining your team’s worth:

❌ Only acknowledging work when something goes wrong.

❌ Assuming employees know they’re valued (spoiler: they don’t).

❌ Praising “hard work” without recognizing real impact.

💡 Leadership Shift: Instead of measuring success by time spent, measure it by value created.

Actionable Tip:

Pick one person on your team who consistently adds value but doesn’t fully own it. Give them a genuine, specific compliment. Instead of a vague “Great job,” try:

✔ “The way you handled that client issue yesterday was impressive. You kept calm, found a solution quickly, and turned a potential problem into a win. That kind of problem-solving is what sets you apart.”

Or

✔ “Your insights in that strategy meeting completely shifted our approach for the better. I really appreciate how you think ahead and bring fresh ideas to the table.”

Watch how their confidence (and performance) rises when they realize their work is truly seen and valued.

Career Empowerment: Want More? Own More.

Ever downplayed your strengths because they feel “too easy” to be valuable?

That’s the self-worth trap.

🔹 You think: “If it’s easy for me, it must be easy for everyone.”

🔹 Reality: It’s easy for you because it’s your superpower.

Your employer isn’t paying for your time; they’re paying for your expertise, creativity, and problem-solving.

The more you own that, the more leverage you have to ask for the raise, the opportunity, or the title upgrade.

Success Story:

Sarah (one of my coaching clients) used to downplay her impact. She stayed quiet in meetings, didn’t negotiate her salary, and assumed her boss just knew her value. (Spoiler: They didn’t.)

After we reframed her mindset to “They’re lucky to have me” (instead of “I’m lucky to be here”), she asked for a raise—and got a 20% bump!

🚀 Your move:

• Identify one skill you’ve been downplaying.
• How would your work shift if you fully owned its value?
• (Bonus: How would your paycheck shift? Just saying.)

Shared Wisdom

“Your value doesn’t decrease based on someone’s inability to see it.” – Unknown

Your worth isn’t up for debate. It doesn’t shrink because someone underestimates you, and it doesn’t disappear if you don’t shout it from the rooftops. But it’s your job to recognize it first.

So, what happens when you fully step into your worth? Opportunities open up. Stress goes down. You stop over-proving and start over-delivering. And when you stop wasting energy questioning your value, you free up time and confidence to magnify your brilliance.

What would change if you owned your worth—fully and unapologetically—starting today?

🔥 TL;DR: The Quick & Bold Version 🔥

• Your worth isn’t measured in hours worked—it’s measured in the impact you create.
• Feeling awkward about owning your value? That’s just growth knocking—answer the door.
• Leaders: People can’t bring their best if they don’t feel valued. Recognize and reinforce their impact.
• Employees: Want more money, recognition, or opportunities? Stop waiting—start owning your brilliance.
• Confidence isn’t arrogance. It’s knowing what you bring to the table (and refusing to sit at discount tables).

🚀 Power Move: Stop downplaying. Start demanding. Own your worth, and watch everything shift.

!