Lukáš Bakoš, a psychologist, manager, and university teacher, leads Maxman Consultants and shares insights on salary negotiations in a recent podcast. In the interview, he emphasizes that personal attributes or life events, such as feeling you have made a sufficient effort or even having a child, are not valid reasons for requesting a salary increase. Instead, Bakoš advocates for a proactive approach, where individuals should first focus on improving their skills and value within the workplace to bolster their case for a higher salary.

He outlines the initial steps one should take when approaching the subject of a salary increase, stressing the importance of self-assessment and identifying distinct contributions to one's role. The conversation suggests that employees should prepare thoroughly before initiating discussions about pay, particularly by knowing their market value based on skills and industry standards. Bakoš also discusses strategies for making specific requests and navigating discussions with insights into what to do if aware that colleagues earn more.

Ultimately, his advice highlights the notion that while financial incentives are vital, understanding one’s worth and actively working towards being indispensable in one’s job contributes to a successful negotiation. He encourages listeners to adopt a mindset dedicated to professional growth as a foundation for salary discussions, reinforcing the principle that preparation and merit are key components in achieving wage elevation.