Aligning your professional goals with corporate goals is not always easy. Building up your value to the company before asking for a concession is a good strategy.
Sometimes our personal career goals do not align with the big picture that our companies envision. For example, you are struggling to achieve work/life balance and have a goal to move to a 4 day week so you can spend more time with your young family. However, your company is planning to open a branch office in another city and expects you to be instrumental in the process. You know this will mean travel and spending even less time with your family. So now what?
In this situation, it really depends on the amount of time you have been with your company and your perceived and actual value to the company. If you can be easily replaced you are in a tough spot. Your short-term goal needs to be “How can I increase my value to this company and increase my negotiating power?”
Look for ways to make yourself as indispensable as possible. Be the one that knows the new system inside out and backwards. Volunteer for the jobs no one else wants. Take courses or other professional development initiatives to gain specialized knowledge.
Once you have built up your bargaining chips, then it is time to ask for the 4-day week and make sure you have a plan on how it can work to the benefit of both you and the company.
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