Chapter 8: Contracts, Confidence & Knowing Your Worth
LESSON GOAL
BY THE END OF THIS LESSON,
you’ll learn how to negotiate with confidence. You’ll understand how to speak up, ask for what your work is worth, and reach a fair agreement — all while being kind, respectful, and professional.
💬 let’s break it down
Okay boss, time to level up your people skills 🎮💼
Let’s say someone wants to hire you to design a flyer or walk their dog, but they offer you less money than what you believe your time is worth.
You don’t have to say yes right away. You can negotiate!
🗣️ Negotiation is when two people talk things through to make a fair deal that works for both sides. It’s not about arguing or being greedy — it’s about communicating with confidence and respect.
A good negotiator knows:
Their worth
Their boundaries
How to listen
And how to speak up kindly
You can say things like:
“That’s a great offer. Could we do $10 instead of $8?”
“I’d love to help! That job usually takes 2 hours. Could we do $5 an hour?”
“If I do two jobs, could we bundle them for a better deal?”
Negotiating is like a game — and the prize is a win-win agreement! 🏆
🧠 ANALOGY: Negotiation is Like Trading Cards
Imagine you have a rare card and someone wants to trade. You could take their first offer…
Or you could pause and say, “Hmm, how about this + that card instead?”
You’re not being rude — you’re making sure the trade feels fair to both of you.
That’s exactly what negotiation is: finding the best deal for everyone involved.
🤔 critical thinking questions
Have you ever said yes to something but later wished you’d asked for more?
Why do you think some people are afraid to negotiate?
How can asking for a fair price be respectful and kind?
What’s one phrase you could practice saying to feel more confident when negotiating?
✍️ journal entry: “The Last Time I Spoke Up (or Wanted To)”
Write about a time you spoke up for yourself — or a time you wish you had.
What happened?
What would you say now if you had the chance?
Then write down one sentence you can practice when asking for fair pay.
👨👩👧👦 ACTIVITY WITH FAMILY OR FRIENDS: Role-Play Negotiation Game
What You’ll Need:
A few pretend job scenarios
Family members or friends
Notecards or pretend money
What to Do:
Take turns being the “boss” and the “worker.”
The boss offers a job with a price.
The worker practices politely asking for more or explaining their value.
Talk it out until you reach a fair deal!
🎯 What This Teaches: Speaking up doesn’t have to be scary — with practice, it becomes second nature. You can be kind and confident.
💵 real-life practice: Try a Real Negotiation (With Help!)
Ask your parent to help you practice a small, real negotiation — like asking to increase the pay for a Family Job Board task you’ve done really well before.
Explain:
Why your time and effort is worth it
What you’d like instead
What makes the offer fair for both sides
🌟 Bonus: Practice in front of a mirror first and give yourself a high five for showing up for YOU!
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