Alastair WallaceCEO. Lead Consultant. Trainer. Coach, Brainfood Ltd · Leadership & Management Training for Busy Managers. Helping senior leaders stop handholding | Brain-friendly, diary-friendly | Save 5+ hours a week | 23,500 managers trained | 200% ROI guaranteed. TED

I deserve a pay rise!

31 Aug 2026 · 1 min

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This content was created by ALASTAIR WALLACE. This content was uploaded by ALASTAIR WALLACE. This is a YouTube video titled "I deserve a pay rise!" (uploaded 2026-08-31T07:20:42Z). It is a short advisory monologue aimed at managers on how to respond constructively when an employee asks for a pay rise—recommendations include avoiding an immediate "no budget" shut-down, separating performance, market value, and process, and booking time to review role requirements, current performance, and the pay review process. The clip also promotes a free "Say This First" guide and includes a thumbnail at https://i.ytimg.com/vi/jrEtyJ4TwWU/maxresdefault.jpg.

Chapters

If someone says, I deserve a pay rise, the worst first answer is, there's no budget. Now, the budget issue may be true, but it shuts the conversation down straight away. A much better approach is to separate performance, market value of the person, and the process. That's going to keep it much more adult, much more objective. Try saying this instead. Let's book some time to look at what your role requires, how your performance compares right now, and what the pay review process allows. That works because it gives the conversation some structure. You're not giving vague promises, brush-offs, or crossed fingers, and it's not about fake hope to make the meeting feel nicer. If you want the words for more awkward manager conversations just like this about money, grab my free Say This First guide. I'll put it with this post.