EffortWise Coaching

Turning talented introverts into pay raise and promotion prodigies.

We install better habits, win negotiations with empathy, and build strong relationships.

Career Growth Engineer

Arootah 

Helping talented professionals advance their careers.

Career Coach

Next Level Negotiation

Helping people get paid more without conflict.

Lead Negotiator

HireClub

Helping folks get paid more and promoted faster.

Career / Executive Coach

Prospect Hills Senior Center

I teach a class on smooth breathing, mindfulness, and other types of meditation to senior citizens. It is one of my great joys.

Brain Body Exercise Group Facilitator

Self-employed

I help students find solutions to their schoolwork problems.

Executive Functioning and ADHD coach for students

Private consultant

I teach math, science, and physical education to a family of 4 kids.

Homeschool Teacher

Institute of Play

Designing creative, game-based educational curricula.

Curriculum Developer

Park Slope Senior Citizens Center

I help senior citizens become more physically and mentally coordinated.

Brain Body Mastery Teacher

The Gateway School

Teaching advanced math and an enrichment class about digital math art (http://effortwise.com/math/).

Teacher

Talented introverts: Become well paid leaders without office politics ◾ MS in Neuroscience & Education ◾ Certified in Positive Psychology ◾ #girldad

How to make a "business case"
for your raises and promotions:

1. Invite your boss to a better future.

2. Ask for an investment from the company to help build that future.

That investment might include:

● A higher title.
● A matching salary.
● Greater equity in the company.
● More time off (to make sure you can keep producing high quality results).

Not sure you could pull off the "business case"
to propose your next raise or promotion?

Get my free script (in the featured section)

Or are you already pretty good at negotiating your salary?

I can probably help you get even bolder raises.

You should also get my pay raise script
(keep an open mind).


- - - - -


Still here?
Then you get my full backstory:

My salary negotiation and career growth experience has been forged
through 10+ years of coaching and research.

I've always been driven by a passion for:
● Neuroscience
● Psychology
● Negotiation

⭐ And a commitment to helping people
get paid what they're worth.

I specialize in helping talented introverts get:
✅ Bold pay raises 
✅ Fast promotions

Without:
🚫 Resentment from bosses.
🚫 Jealousy from teammates.

We navigate the complexities of:

● Being a team player, not a pushover.
● Asking for a raise collaboratively.
● Making your full value visible.

Working with me, you're not getting an
extroverted, former CEO, who tells
you to "command the room"
with "executive presence."

You ARE getting a partner to help you:

● Stay authentically introverted.
● Shine a floodlight on your value.

Expect to be empowered by:

● Doing things you've never done before
● Learning the science of negotiation
● Influencing more powerful people

How bout that free Pay Raise Script?

You can always DM me too.

You're staring at a job offer. The salary is low.

You know you have to say something.

What do you do?

The negotiation all comes down
to a single question:

"Can the company afford you?"

The answer has 2 components.

1. The cost of hiring you.
2. The cost of NOT hiring you.

Convince them that 2 > 1,
and you can name your price.

How do you do that?

In the interview process:

1. Get crystal clear on their problems.

Companies hire to solve problems.
Find out the details.


2. Find out what solutions excite them.

Problems have many possible solutions.
We like some solutions. Not others.

Find out what solutions the company likes.
Assure them you can implement.


3. Find out what results get them hot.

Once those problems are solved,
what will they spend resources on?

Show them you understand where
they want to go.

Paint a picture of how you'll contribute
to that next level of growth.


In the negotiation, hit those 3 points:

1. Their problems.
2. The solutions they want.
3. The results you'll help deliver.

And the cost of NOT hiring you
will appear much higher than
the cost of hiring you.


p.s.
Hesitant to ask for a raise?

Get your free Script + Checklist
For Raises & Promotions.

Available here: Dave Wolovsky


•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

#payraise
#influence
#negotiation
#careergrowth
#negotiationskills
#salarynegotiation
#careerdevelopment

Dave Wolovsky

Hiring Manager: “Any questions for me?”

It's your big moment.

The most powerful question you can ask?

It's a 2-parter. 

1. “Just to double check, who’s your direct supervisor?”

If you already know, you can skip it.
But doesn’t hurt to confirm.

“Just to double check, your direct supervisor is
the VP of Marketing. Is that right?”

2. “So what's THEIR biggest concern
about filling this role?”

● Listen, breathe.
● Summarize their answer.
● Confirm that you understand it.

“So, they’re most concerned that…
Is that right?”

Now ask the Q again, but in the opposite way.

Make sure you get all the info you need.

“So what would make them 100% sure
that you hired the right person?”

You’re essentially asking the hiring manager:

“What will make YOU look good to your boss?”

If you know that, you’re their obvious choice.

It gives you an advantage in:
● The interview process
● The negotiation
● The first 30 days

And the best part:
Nobody else is going to ask.


p.s.
Hesitant to ask for a raise
at your current job?

Get your free Script + Checklist
For Raises & Promotions.

Available here: Dave Wolovsky


•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

#payraise
#influence
#jobinterview
#salarynegotiation

Your reputation is a salary multiplier.

My savvy clients have discovered how to build
a solid reputation at any company.

You could implement it today.

Every single client of mine who has adopted this strategy has:

● Felt like they gained superpowers.
● Been stunned at how easy it is.
● Seen their reputation skyrocket
  (even when it was already high).

The strategy?

Understand your manager’s mind.

There are 3 types of managers.

If you don’t know which one your manager is,
you’ll be banging your head against the wall
every time you try to persuade them.

It’s like trying to argue with someone in a
language you don’t speak.

But once you know the “motivation language” your manager speaks, influencing them is straightforward.

Here are the 3 types of managers.
See if you can pick out yours:

1. “People” Managers.

They care about:

● Ethics
● Inclusivity
● Diplomacy

Their main goals are to

● Improve team dynamics.
● Increase employee engagement.
● Make their leadership team happy.

2. “Metrics” Managers.

They care about:

● Measuring numbers
● Meeting standards

Their main goals are to:

● Meet deadlines
● Analyze data
● Grow sales
● Cut costs

3. “Mission” Managers.

They care about excellence for its own sake.

Their main goals are about:

● Innovation
● Efficient operations
● Customer satisfaction
● Sustainability (both in the environmental sense and in terms of business operations).

❌️ If you try to explain an idea to a Metrics Manager in terms of “sustainability,” they'll be like “Whatever, nerd.”

❌️ If you try to get buy-in from a Mission Manager by talking about cutting costs, they’ll be like “Stop thinking so small, nerd!”

❌️ If you try to tell a People Manager about improving operational efficiency, they’ll be like “Where’s your humanity, nerd?!”

In summary:
1. See what drives your manager.
2. Study their “motivation language.”
3. Speak it when you want to motivate them.


p.s.
Hesitant to ask for a raise?

Get your free Script + Checklist
For Raises & Promotions.

Available here: Dave Wolovsky


•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

#payraise
#influence
#careergrowth
#salarynegotiation
#careerdevelopment

For years, I resisted being a "pay raise" guy.

Ego.

I wanted to help people on a deep level.

Higher salaries?

"Shallow."
"Empty."

I didn't want to be seen as
only caring about money.

But here's the secret.

When you work on a "shallow" problem,
you access deeper problems.

A client gave me feedback last week.

She said:
"At first, I signed up to raise my salary.
I realized the real issue is Confidence."

Preparing her pay raise proposal has
made her more confident than ever.

2 weeks ago, another client realized:
"The problem with my salary is
actually a problem with
my boundaries."

He basically does 3 full jobs
at this company.

He doesn't say no to his leaders.

That's what we're working on.


Here are my lessons:

1. Try to fix a shallow (but hard) problem.
2. You'll usually find a deeper issue.
3. Fix that one, and you fix both.

I no longer care about being "boxed in"
as a "pay raise" guy.

I am whatever my clients need.
And it's the most satisfying
experience I could ask for.


p.s.
Hesitant to ask for a raise?

Get your free Script + Checklist
For Raises & Promotions.

Available here: Dave Wolovsky 


•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

#payraise
#influence
#negotiation
#careergrowth
#negotiationskills
#salarynegotiation
#careerdevelopment

Salaries are a measure of respect.

When leaders respect you,
they want more of you.

And to get it?
They pay more.

Want the respect of your leadership team?

Here's the key:

Patience.

Patience beats:

● Confidence
● Intelligence
● Dominance

Look at everyone you work with.

● Who do YOU like?
● Who do YOU respect?
● Who do YOU try to avoid?

Now ask:

● Who has the most patience?
● Who's like a headless chicken 🐔?

Best way to start raising your PQ?
(Patience IQ)

Meetings.

Here's a counterintuitive hack for more patience in meetings.

Take tons of notes.

Write down what people say,
and good ideas come to you.

Your processing what's happening more than everyone else.

And you're DOING something,
instead of thinking and waiting,
like everyone else.

Taking more notes empowers you to: 

● Have better ideas.
● Speak more clearly.
● Execute more smoothly.

You become magnetic.
Leaders respect you.
They want more.

And they'll be willing to pay for it.


p.s.
Hesitant to ask for a raise?


Get Script + Checklist
For Raises & Promotions.

Available here: Dave Wolovsky 


•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

#influence
#careergrowth
#salarynegotiation
#careerdevelopment

The straightest path to higher salaries:

ABAFF.

Always Be Asking For Feedback.

Your leaders might not want to raise your salary.

Find out all the POSSIBLE reasons why.

If you don’t know why they’ll say no,
you’ll never get them to say yes.

This means:

1. Get lots of short, informal feedback.
2. Have at least 1 big feedback conversation.

Short, informal feedback:
Here are questions to ask your boss:
(Lovingly lifted 🙏🏼 from the great Wes Kao).
- “What would you do differently here?”
- “What’s missing from my work on this?”
- “Do you see any risks or gaps in my logic?”
- “What would make this an A+ in your eyes?”

Be relentless in getting feedback.
Everyone will love working with you.
Your reputation for value will build itself.

Next, the big feedback conversation.

It has 3 parts:
1. Negative Feedback
2. Positive Feedback
3. Hypothetical Ask

Negative Feedback:
- Ask for negative feedback multiple times.
- Make sure they give it to you.
- Clarify their feedback.
- Decide if it’s useful.

Positive Feedback:
- Find out what they value most about you.
- Take note of the keywords they use.
- Summarize it. Clarify as needed.
- Get your greatness on record.

Hypothetical Ask:
- Ask about future challenges in the company.
- How you can be involved in those convos.
- Get a “vibe check” on your future there.
- Find out about promotion policies.
- And about pay raise policies.

The bottom line:

The more “feedback touchpoints” you grab,
the more you guarantee your future. 
More promotions and pay raises.


p.s.
Hesitant to ask for a raise?

Get your free Script + Checklist
For Raises & Promotions.

Available here: Dave Wolovsky


•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

#payraise
#influence
#negotiation
#careergrowth
#negotiationskills
#salarynegotiation
#careerdevelopment

Your salary is always held back by 1 thing.

It has nothing to do with work.

It's your energy leaks.

Here are a few things that drain your energy:

- Physical pain
- Relationship stress
- Addictions and vices

When these are active:

- You can't focus.
- You're not happy.
- Your work is cheap.
- Your reputation suffers.

Want to start raising your salary?
Forget about your salary.

Find your weakest energy points.
Plug the holes where it's leaking out.
This strategy has transformed my life.

Here are some ideas to get you started:

- Exercise a little bit, throughout the day.
- Have hard convos with your spouse.
- Restrict vices to certain places.
   - e.g. Don't drink at home.

Obviously these are just the tippy tip.
You have to customize your strategy.

But the point is this:

Energy does not compartmentalize.
Mind / body / relationships / work.
They all affect your energy.

- Find your leaky points.
- Plug the holes.

I used to have no energy, all the time.

Once I started proactively plugging
my most draining energy leaks,
my work is transformed.

May you have the same experience.
May we both keep it up.


p.s.
Hesitant to ask for a raise?

Get your free Script + Checklist
For Raises & Promotions.

Available here: Dave Wolovsky 


•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

#payraise
#influence
#negotiation
#careergrowth
#negotiationskills
#salarynegotiation
#careerdevelopment



Client case study (wild pay raise).

Names and identifiers have been altered
for obvious reasons.

Roberto thought he had maxed out his salary.

He was pretty much right.

He was at 215k, while his top peers
were in the 150k - 180k range.

Yet for some reason, he got on a call
with me and decided I could teach
him something about negotiation.

He ended up being right again.
He got a 35k increase + Fridays off.

It started because:

● His contract was almost up.
● His manager wanted to renew him.
● Roberto wanted to negotiate for more.

So here's what happened, step by step:

1. Preparation

We prepped him for a feedback conversation.
He was determined to find out if his manager had any points of improvement for him.

2. Hypothetical Ask

During that conversation, he asked what would happen *if* he asked for a raise.
He found out what he'd need to do.

3. The Plot Thickens

There were multiple parties involved:

His manager, the CIO of the company, and the consulting firm that hired and paid him.

4. Investigation

He set up various conversations to
probe the people involved in the process.

5. The Big Conversation

The time came, and he asked his recruiter at the consulting firm for more money in the new contract. He also used a big "accusations audit" (from Chris Voss) to ask for Fridays off.

6. The Waiting Game

The recruiter had to discuss it with both his
manager at the consulting firm, and the CIO
at the company Roberto was working at.

7. Success

They got back to him with the good news.

+35k next year and every Friday off.


Lessons learned:

1. Always have a feedback conversation before asking for a raise. Know if there are any objections. Find out who's involved in the process.

2. Probe a lot. Ask various people about the compensation process and policies.

3. Don't be afraid to ask. He was already above the top of range for his market, but he still got more (with less days of meetings).

4. Get professional support, even when you're good at something. In fact, you'll learn the most if you're already good at it.


p.s.
Hesitant to ask for a raise?

Get your free Script + Checklist
For Raises & Promotions.

Available here: Dave Wolovsky


•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

#payraise
#influence
#negotiation
#careergrowth
#negotiationskills
#salarynegotiation
#careerdevelopment


Contradicting your boss is terrifying.

It’s a toss up:

- They think you’re a pain in the Ace.
- Or they realize you’re indispensable.

I’ve analyzed dozens of conversations
where my clients contradicted their bosses.

Here are the differences between
those who were praised for their input, 
versus those who were shut down for it.

Praised 👏🏼
Client waited until the last quarter of the conversation to raise their idea.

Shut Down 👎🏼
They said their idea early in the conversation.

Praised 👏🏼
Client thoroughly probed their boss's opinion on the issue before speaking their mind.

Shut Down 👎🏼
They didn't ask questions to probe their
boss's opinion. They assumed they
understood it based on limited info.

Praised 👏🏼
Client used the pyramid principle to explain their idea:
1. Most important point first.
2. A few supporting points.
3. Supporting details.

(Punctuated with pauses: see below).

Shut Down 👎🏼
Client took too long to explain the most important point.

Praised 👏🏼
Client paused often for their boss’s thoughts.
They kept it a conversation, not
rushing through a monologue.

Shut Down 👎🏼
They tried to say EVERYTHING before getting shut down. It turned into a boring monologue. They got shut down.

The real key is to pick your battles.
Don’t contradict your boss on stupid sh!rt.
Make sure you have a SOLID reason.

Ask them about it first. Listen.
Probe their reasoning thoroughly.
You might find that their idea is good.
If not, you’ll know how to explain yours.

1. Hit the most interesting point 1st.
2. Pause, ask for their thoughts.
3. Fill in with supporting points.
4. Pause for their thoughts.
5. Fill in with more details.

That’s how you make your boss see
that you’re indispensable, instead of
seeing you as a pain in the Ace.


p.s.
Hesitant to ask for a raise?

Get your free Script + Checklist
For Raises & Promotions.

Available here: Dave Wolovsky


•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

#payraise
#influence
#negotiation
#careergrowth
#negotiationskills
#salarynegotiation
#careerdevelopment

The hidden reason people get passed over for raises and promotions:

Personal insecurities.

Take control of yours.
Your salary will never get stuck.

We're all insecure about things.

Our...
- Family / background
- Competence
- Intelligence
- Likeability
- Status
- Looks

Here's how to prevent your insecurities
from bringing you down:

1. Get crystal clear on your insecurities.

How?

Examine what you forcefully pursue in life.

Do you spend 30 minutes a day looking in the mirror and "fixing yourself"?
→ Insecure about your looks.

Making sure no one can see your flaws.

Got a PhD in 3 years?
→ Insecure about your intelligence.

Desperate to be the smartest of the smartest.

Are you nice to everyone?
→ Insecure about your likeability.

Making sure no one *dislikes* you.

28 year old CEO of a company?
→ Insecure about being loved and valued.

Chasing titles to *prove* your value.

Whatever we feel INsecure about,
we pursue aggressively.

Whatever we feel SECURE about,
we have patience with.

Look inside yourself. You’ll see it.

2. After clarifying your insecurities, own them.

Start talking about them openly.

Start by telling specific people:
- Who will just listen.
- Who are trustworthy.
- Who won't judge you.

Get comfortable saying these words aloud:
"It’s funny. I've realized I'm insecure about..."

Realize that it IS kinda funny.
You’ve made it this far in your life.
You’re tough enough to admit imperfection.

The more you talk about insecurities,
the less power they have over you.

3. Start spotting insecurities in others.

- Watch the people you work with.
- When do they try TOO hard?
- What do they really need?
- (Emotionally speaking)

4. Give them what they need.

- Most people are afraid of their bosses.
- Help them look good to their bosses.
- A tiny bit goes a long way.
- They’ll love you for it.

Help people with their insecurities,
and your salary will grow fast.

In any company.
In any job.


p.s.
Hesitant to ask for a raise?

Get your free Script + Checklist
For Raises & Promotions.

Available here: Dave Wolovsky


•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

#payraise
#influence
#negotiation
#careergrowth
#negotiationskills
#salarynegotiation
#careerdevelopment

You only need 2 skills to be a negotiation expert.

1. Saying No without conflict.
2. Making good offers / propositions.

Every negotiation begins when
one side makes a proposition,
and the other side says No.

Without “No,” there's no negotiation.

Some people truly CAN’T say No:
- Prisoners.
- Addicts.
- Slaves.

But many people choose not to say No
when they’re afraid of the consequences.

Saying No is a human right.
But saying No without conflict?
It's a special skill that takes practice.

Here are 3 ways to say No:
(From most assertive to least)

1. The “terminal” No. Walking away.

The most assertive No.

2. A counter offer. “No, but how about…?”

A middle-ground No.

3. Info gathering: “Could you explain more?”

Info gathering is the softest No.
It's subtle. “Not quite yet.”

Gathering info (asking questions) should be
your default when people ask you for stuff.

Especially at work. Your time is finite.

Sometimes people will withdraw their request
because you asked a good question.

The simplest question combo is:
“What exactly do you mean?”
“Can you explain more?”

The best part about gathering info? It isn't just
saying No. It helps both people better
understand each other's needs
(as well as their own needs).

It’s the most important part of any negotiation:

Understanding needs.

Understand your own needs?
You know when to walk away.

Understand their needs?
You know how to make enticing offers.

1. Understand needs.
2. Make enticing offers.
3. Say no without conflict.

That's the whole game.


p.s.
Hesitant to ask for a raise?

Get your free Script + Checklist
For Raises & Promotions.

Available here: Dave Wolovsky


•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

#payraise
#influence
#negotiation
#careergrowth
#negotiationskills
#salarynegotiation
#careerdevelopment

Wanna become a “prodigy” in your company?

Prodigies are the people who:
Have high value reputations.
Are admired by everyone.
Never get laid off.

Here’s how to become a prodigy.
It’s so simple, it sounds stupid:

✨ Learn software tricks ✨

Your company relies HEAVILY on
a few pieces of software.
Everyone uses them.

Maybe it’s Microsoft (excel, powerpoint, etc.).
Maybe it’s Google (sheets, slides, docs).
Maybe it’s Asana, Jira, or Monday(.com).

It might be for project management.
It might be for communications.
It might be for presentations.

1. Choose an app that EVERYONE uses.

2. Then Google:
“Tips & tricks for [Insert software name].”

3. Spend 1 hour diving deep into:
The secrets.
The shortcuts.
The frameworks.

It’ll be the highest impact hour of your week.

When you collaborate, you’ll have ample
opportunities to bust out your new moves.

● People will be like, “Oh damn! Cool.”
● They will start to think you’re mysterious.
● They’ll wonder, “What else does Dave know?”

Enough people start to wonder that,
and you’ve become a prodigy.
Leaders know your name.

And to paraphrase the great Ethan Evans:

Leaders lay off people they’ve NEVER heard of
faster than people they HAVE heard of.


p.s.
Hesitant to ask for a raise?

Get your free Script + Checklist
For Raises & Promotions.

Available here: Dave Wolovsky


•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

#payraise
#influence
#negotiation
#careergrowth
#negotiationskills
#salarynegotiation
#careerdevelopment

The secret to pay raises without conflict?

Empathy (if it doesn't destroy you first).

I just watched #Oppenheimer.
Got me thinking.

Empathy is like a nuclear power plant.

When used wisely, you:

- Create “influence energy."
- Improve your relationships.
- Feel alive in the best way possible.

Empathy allows you to connect with powerful people.

- Get leaders to see your unique value.
- Get them to advocate for you.
- Get the salary you deserve.

That’s the power of “clean empathy.”

But when your empathy “safety standards”
are loose, you can get deadly meltdowns.

- Letting toxic people drain your energy.
- Letting your boundaries bend & blur.
- Letting yourself be victimized.

Instead, take a big step back.
See toxic coworkers for what they are:
Humans in pain, spilling their pain on you.

If you saw someone:

- Holding a hot cup of coffee.
- Eyes darting around.
- Walking too fast.

You wouldn’t put yourself in their path,
making yourself a target to get spilled on.

Same thing here, but with negative emotions
instead of hot coffee.

So here’s how to use empathy to advance your career,
without getting burned:

1. Protect yourself from toxic coworkers.
Do that and you’re 90% of the way there.

2. Become indispensable to powerful people.
- Figure out who can help you advance.
- Analyze their biggest insecurities.
- Help with those insecurities.

Find out what makes people feel insecure.
Help them reduce their insecurities.
They’ll be generous to you.

Do that with leaders in your company?
You will never be underpaid.


p.s.
Hesitant to ask for a raise?

Get your free Script + Checklist
For Raises & Promotions.

Available here: Dave Wolovsky


•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

#payraise
#influence
#negotiation
#careergrowth
#negotiationskills
#salarynegotiation
#careerdevelopment

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