Gentle Power

In this episode, we cover: Five real reasons offers get rescinded (and how to avoid each) Cordial scripts and mindset shifts to push back safely without burning bridges We also share: Why one client held onto her “Company A” offer - and how it saved her from a late‑stage fallback at “Company B” The “equity‑info blackout” that led to Company B falling through, and the upfront questions she now asks...

For this week’s episode, we are sharing Gerta’s recent interview with Brendan Aronson on the Milvet Podcast, where we discussed actionable negotiation tactics tailored for military veterans transitioning into the civilian job market; insights are just as relevant for people from other backgrounds. In this conversation, we cover: How military service shapes your mindset - and why “service before se...

In this episode, we cover: How to lock in clear price limits with hairstylists, plumbers and other contractors - so you never get surprised by unexpected add‑ons Why spelling out the real problem you need to solve (“I keep getting unexpected invoices”) and your intent (“I run a business and need full visibility”) makes pushback feel natural Tactful scripts for deflecting vague scope creep, communi...

For this week’s episode, we are sharing our recent interview with Lauren McGoodwin from Career Contessa, where we focused on practical tips to improve your next job offer by 5-6 figures. We covered topics and strategies including: Why oversharing destroys your leverage, and how to tactfully deflect “What’s your number?” questions The surprising power of genuine enthusiasm in negotiations How to as...

In this episode, we cover: Focusing on fairness can sabotage the negotiation Sometimes the best move is to just settle and spend your energy elsewhere Your job offer isn’t something you’re lucky to receive; it’s a mutual value exchange Do what’s best for you, not just what benefits the company Don’t take what an employer says at face value Negotiation is a game, and you’re allowed to play it We al...

For this week’s episode, we’re sharing Gerta’s recent conversation on the “Glasp Talk” YouTube series with Glasp cofounders, Kazuki Nakayashiki and Kei Watanabe. Glasp is a social web-highlighting tool that helps readers capture, organize, and share knowledge, empowering users to amplify their human insights with AI-driven intelligence. This talk dives into Gerta’s journey from MIT-trained enginee...

In this episode, we cover: Why you should insist on receiving a signable written offer before you start negotiating, and when to stop insisting if the company keeps stalling. How adding a simple “because” makes decision-makers say “yes” more often, and exactly how to use it in your comp ask. Don’t just take our word for it—read the study here . Building a “reason bank” before you negotiate: strong...

In this episode, we cover: Why there’s no magic “round limit” in negotiations. How “this is our best and final offer” usually signals when to stop – and when to read between the lines. Why “first offer = best & final” is almost never true – and how one client added six figures to an allegedly unmovable package. Strategies for fixed pay-band roles (government, academia, teaching): what you can...

We recorded this week’s show in the gorgeous GoSpread.ai podcast space in San Francisco – thank you, team! (Yes, we instantly wanted to crank out a dozen episodes in those vibes.) Here’s what we covered: Negotiation behind-the-scenes of a dream weekend: Alex recently performed an opening DJ set at The Chainsmokers show (nearly 10K attendees!) in San Francisco—LED screens, crowd-surfing friends, an...

In this episode, we share about Alex’s most exciting performance to-date for his side hobby, DJing. We also share exactly how we work with you: DJing for The Chainsmokers: Alex is on deck as the opening DJ for The Chainsmokers’ SF block party, and the two of us are gearing up to join Titanic’s End for our first-ever Burning Man. What “negotiation coaching” really looks like: Free 15–30 min consult...

For this week’s episode, we are sharing an interview that Gerta did with the Shift to Freedom Podcast. Led by transformational life coach Ben Easter, this podcast helps business owners reduce overwhelm, beat imposter syndrome, and lead with confidence and clarity. In this conversation, Gerta and Ben dispel common negotiation myths, provide actionable insights, and share practical tips and strategi...

In this episode, we cover: Our “Messaging App Multiverse” and why choosing the right channel matters for different communities Whether unstructured banter builds rapport or just eats into your negotiation capital A deep-dive case study: how a new-mom’s breast-milk delivery ask morphed into a $40K base-salary win Three key tactics: strategic prioritization, timing your asks, and translating niche r...

In this episode, we cover: How “I don’t want to play games, just give me your number” is itself a negotiation move Exact scripts to deflect that request and get them to share their total compensation budget first Why the salary range on a job post rarely equals the company’s true internal budget The rare times it’s okay to name your number (competing offers, true peer-to-peer deals) We also share...

In this episode, we cover: Why over-communicating is a career asset but a negotiation liability Exact scripts to deflect salary-history questions and ask for their budget first A real client story: turning a lowball salary-history request into leverage for a higher offer Critical mistakes to avoid: from sharing your numbers too soon to skipping the written offer Behind-the-scenes SF community high...

In this episode, we explore how the same mindset that helps you conquer FOMO in your social life can supercharge your negotiation power. We reveal how cultivating an “abundance mentality” lets you pause, ask smarter questions, and never undersell yourself. We also talk about our community in San Francisco and give you a peek into our vibrant social lives here, including attending events with top t...

In this episode, we dive into one of the trickiest parts of the job offer process: the verbal offer. Many candidates mistakenly believe this stage means they’ve sealed the deal, but it’s actually where the stakes are highest. Learn why negotiating too early can backfire, and how to protect your leverage until a written offer is in hand. We also unpack how small comments can unintentionally weaken...

This episode has it all—quirky tales about discovering a newfound love for dogs, overcoming allergies, and the realization that sometimes we just need to “see it in writing” before saying yes. Tune in to hear how we moved from skeptical pet observers to full-on dog aficionados, peppered with fun stories about apartment living, unexpected pet-sitting experiences, and family pets that captured our h...

Ever feel like the first offer you get is never the best you can do? In this stitched-together episode of Gentle Power , we share some behind-the-scenes bloopers (hello, muted microphone!) and dive into the essentials of salary negotiations. You’ll hear how our scrappy startup life has taught us to “just ship it”—even if it’s not flawless—and why the universe seems to step in with helping hands (l...

Ready to stop waiting for “perfect” and just start? That’s our vibe—and it begins right now. We dive into personal passions, community living, and key job-offer tips. Watch us tackle one big job-hunt headache: salary expectations. Never reveal your desired number too soon—here’s how to respond instead. You’ll also learn about GFF (“Gift Your F***s”) and the power of caring less. Stick around for a...