Conversation Planner · for managers
How to talk to an employee who asks for a raise you can't give
Read the approach below, or skip ahead and get a plan written for your own situation.
Plan my conversation — free ↓Why the usual approach fails
The two usual responses — a vague "I'll see what I can do" or a flat "there's no budget" — both cost you the person. One is dishonest and the other is a dead end. An honest no, paired with a specific path and a date, keeps trust intact.
How to open
"Thank you for raising this directly. I want to give you a straight answer: I can't change your salary this cycle. I do want to understand what's behind the ask and work out what would get you there."
Ask before you tell
- "What prompted this now?"
- "What matters most to you — the number, the level, or what it signals?"
- "What would you want to be true six months from now?"
What to agree before you leave the room
The specific criteria for the next increase, written down, with a date you'll review it together.
Make it yours — free
Edit the details below to match your situation and get a full five-step COACH plan by email.
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Built on the COACH method by Jon Kludt, Business Coach · Certified EOS Implementer® · thecoachconversation.com