If my current company could give me what I wanted, then I wanted to stay. If they couldn’t, then I had to pack up and leave. Before I started, I had to be clear on what I was willing to accept and be comfortable walking away. I could not afford to make empty promises or threats. Just because you have another offer won’t always mean that your company will take the necessary steps to make a better offer. You might present another offer and they show you the door. It was apparent that I had to be willing to walk away once I entered into such a high-stakes negotiation—if things didn’t go as
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