The Cost of Sacrifice: Heather Monahan on Valuing Yourself During Economic Downturns

In a recent LinkedIn post, Heather Monahan shares a personal anecdote from a past recession to illustrate a critical lesson about self-worth and professional boundaries. She recounts how, during a company-wide 25% pay cut, one individual refused to accept the reduction, leading to a significant shift in how he was perceived and treated.

Monahan, who was the EVP of Sales at the time, explains the situation: “During the recession, everyone in my company took a 25% pay cut. 😳 Except one person.” She details how, as a department head, she was tasked with securing signatures for the pay cuts. “I signed. ☝️ I took on extra roles when we cut positions. More work. Less money. I told myself it was loyalty.”

The Power of Refusal

The turning point in Monahan’s experience came when one employee directly challenged the leadership’s decision regarding his salary. “He was the only one. Here’s what happened next: He kept his full salary. And something shifted. Everyone became afraid he’d leave. They catered to him.” This stark contrast highlighted for Monahan the impact of setting firm boundaries versus making sacrifices.

“While the rest of us worked twice as hard for 75 cents on the dollar — he didn’t.”

Monahan reflects on the emotional toll this took on her and her colleagues. “I grew exhausted. Frustrated. Resentful.” This personal struggle led to a profound realization about her own professional value.

Re-evaluating Self-Worth

The core message Monahan conveys through her story is a re-evaluation of how individuals perceive and assert their worth, especially when faced with economic pressures. She states, “And then I understood: the problem wasn’t him. The problem was me. 💯 I had told my employer exactly what I thought I was worth. And it wasn’t full price.”

According to Monahan, passively accepting devaluating circumstances can inadvertently confirm an employer’s perception of an employee’s worth. “If they don’t value you now, watching you devalue yourself won’t change that. It confirms it. 🤯” she writes.

Boundaries Over Sacrifice

Monahan advocates for establishing and maintaining boundaries as a more effective strategy than making personal sacrifices in the hope of being recognized or valued. Her post concludes with a powerful assertion: “The boundary is the flex. Not the sacrifice. 🙏”

She encourages her audience to reflect on similar situations, asking, “Have you ever signed when you should have said no?” Monahan’s insights serve as a strong reminder for professionals to understand and communicate their inherent value, particularly during challenging economic times.