Meet Souhila Keffi, a compensation expert and coach dedicated to empowering people – especially women – to master their worth. She's dedicated her time to transform how individuals engage with their compensation.​ Dive into her vision for a future where fair, strategic compensation drives engagement, fosters self-advocacy, and empowers every voice at the table.
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#EmployeeAdvocacy #WomenInLeadership #SalaryNegotiation #FairPay #WorkplaceEquity
Who has been a significant role model in your journey?​
It’s hard to name just one. I’ve been influenced by so many women along the way - for different reasons.
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When I started my career in Rewards consulting in Paris, I was mentored by a woman who had a remarkable presence. She didn’t hesitate to speak up, to challenge ideas, or to advocate for herself and others. Her strength wasn’t just in asking for what she deserved - it was in how she led. She brought clarity, made bold decisions, and earned respect without ever raising her voice. Watching her in action taught me that leadership and self-worth go hand in hand.
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I’ve also seen the other side - brilliant women who held back, unsure if they had the right to ask. And I’ve seen what that costs them, not just in pay, but in confidence.
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Both experiences shaped me. They remind me why I do this work. It’s about being seen, and knowing your voice matters.
What ignited your shift from HR to coaching?
Coaching started as a curiosity. I wanted to become a better leader, a better listener - so I signed up for a course thinking it would just complement my work. But it quickly became more than that. It changed how I connect with people, how I ask questions, and how I show up in conversations.
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That’s when I realised I wanted something a bit more personal. I had spent years in compensation - negotiating offers, advising leadership teams, shaping pay strategies. I loved the work. But I started feeling the pull to support people more directly. To sit with someone and help them not just understand how compensation works, but feel confident talking about it.
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It wasn’t a dramatic shift. I didn’t walk away from HR. Through my work at The Pay Edge, I still work with organisations on their reward strategies. But now I also advise professionals on how to speak about their value, prepare for important conversations, and ask for what they deserve.
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What makes my work different is the combination I bring. I don’t just hold space, I also offer perspective.
What are the key mindset shifts for women to negotiate confidently?
1 - You’re not being ungrateful or difficult by negotiating.
That belief runs deep for so many women. They’ve been told to be grateful, to wait their turn, to not make waves. So when they do speak up, it feels like they’re breaking a rule. But asking for what’s fair doesn’t make you demanding. It makes you responsible.
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2 - You have to stop thinking your value will be obvious. It won’t.
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I’ve worked with women who’ve done extraordinary things and still hesitate to say it out loud. But your work doesn’t always speak for itself. You need to learn how to speak for it. Not by bragging, but by owning your impact.
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Once you let go of the guilt or hesitation, negotiation becomes a lot less emotional, and a lot more strategic.
What is the impact of not negotiating early in one's career ?
What many don’t realise is that not negotiating early sets a baseline, and that baseline follows you. But the impact isn’t only financial. When you start lower than you should, it quietly shapes how you carry yourself.
I’ve seen so many times women who tell me, “I didn’t want to push too hard,” or “I was just grateful to get the offer.” So they stayed quiet, even when something didn’t feel quite right.
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Years later, they find out a colleague doing similar work is earning significantly more. And that moment stays with them. It’s not just about the money, it’s about what it does to your confidence. You start to question your value, your decisions, and whether others truly see what you bring to the table.
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What many don’t realise is that not negotiating early sets a baseline, and that baseline follows you. But the impact isn’t only financial. When you start lower than you should, it quietly shapes how you carry yourself. You may speak with less conviction, hesitate to advocate for your ideas, or hold back from leadership opportunities - often without even realising it.
And that’s why salary conversations aren’t something you “figure out later.” It’s a skill. And the earlier you learn to do it well, the easier it becomes to grow into the career - and compensation - you actually deserve.
Why is personal branding vital for anyone seeking fair compensation?
Because people don’t always see the full picture of what you do - especially in fast-paced environments like Tech. And if you don’t take the time to show your value clearly, it’s easy for others to overlook it.
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Personal branding isn’t about being everywhere or promoting yourself constantly. It’s about making sure the right people understand your strengths, your impact, and how you contribute.
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But before you can communicate that to others, you need to know it yourself. You need to own your value - really believe it.
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And I know that’s not always easy. Especially if you’ve spent years downplaying your strengths or waiting for someone else to notice them.
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But when you do, something shifts. The way you talk about your work changes. And that’s often what turns a compensation conversation from uncomfortable… into something clear, grounded, and fair.
What's one core principle you live by, professionally, that you believe would most resonate with women leaders and entrepreneurs in the tech space?
Know your value - and don’t wait for permission to act on it.
In fast-moving industries like tech, opportunities aren’t always handed to you. You often have to claim them. And that starts with being clear on the value you bring - not just in effort, but in outcomes.I’ve seen so many brilliant women wait until they feel 100% ready, or until someone else validates their potential.
But confidence doesn’t always come first. Take action and the confidence often follows.It’s a mindset that’s shaped many of my own career moves, and one I see making a real difference for others, too.
What are 3 key resources (book, podcasts or video) you recommend for developing stronger negotiation skills?
1. Book: Women Don’t Ask by Linda Babcock and Sara Laschever
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This book opened my eyes to how often women hold back from negotiating - and why. It’s a must-read if you’ve ever hesitated to ask for more.
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2. Book: Never Split the Difference by Chris Voss
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A masterclass in psychological strategy from an ex-FBI negotiator. It’s very practical for navigating high-stakes conversations - especially when emotions are involved.
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3. Podcast: Negotiate Anything by Kwame Christian
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I like how real and relatable this podcast is. It covers everything from mindset to strategy- and it’s useful whether you’re asking for a raise or navigating everyday conversations.
Final Thoughts
“Know your value - and don’t wait for permission to act on it.
I’ve seen so many brilliant women wait until they feel 100% ready, or until someone else validates their potential.
But confidence doesn’t always come first. Take action and the confidence often follows.”