Send us a text

By not negotiating your starting salary, you could be walking away from over $500,000 in lifetime earnings. But 70% of professionals never even try—because they're terrified the offer will be pulled.

In this episode, I'm pulling back the curtain on what REALLY happens behind the scenes when you negotiate. After 21 years in HR and nearly a decade as a recruiter, I've made over 1,000 job offers—and I've NEVER seen one pulled just because someone asked to negotiate.

In Part 1, you'll discover:

• Why your fear of negotiating is completely unfounded (backed by real data)
• The $12,000+ companies invest to find you—and why that gives you power
• How to evaluate the FULL compensation package (not just salary)
• What bonuses, benefits, commute costs, and vacation really mean for your bottom line
• Why 85% of people who negotiate get results, but only 30% even try

This episode is for you if: You've ever accepted the first offer out of fear. You're underpaid and don't know how to ask for more. You're evaluating a job offer right now and feeling anxious about negotiating.

I'm Njsane Courtney, VP of HR at American Bureau of Shipping and creator of "My Friend in HR." I've spent two decades on both sides of the negotiation table, and I'm giving you the insider playbook companies don't want you to have.

Your job is meant to support your life. Your life isn't meant to support your job.

🎧 Listen to Part 2 for the exact words to say and when to shut up during negotiations.

📧 Questions? Email me at myfriendinhr@gmailcom

📱 Connect: @MyFriendinHR YouTube

@MyFriendIn_HR on Instagram & Twitter | Njsane Courtney on LinkedIn

Support the show

Instagram: myfriendin_hr
Linkedin: Njsane Courtney
Email: myfriendinhr@gmail.com

Send us a text

If Monday mornings fill you with dread, your micromanager questions every move, and you KNOW you're underpaid by at least $20K but feel paralyzed to do anything about it—this episode is your intervention.

This isn't about setting fluffy 2025 goals. This is about building LEVERAGE.

In this no-BS episode, Jassani Courtney breaks down the exact 5-step blueprint to stop being overlooked and start commanding the respect (and compensation) you've earned. Whether you're planning your exit or fighting to transform your current role, you need OPTIONS—and options require strategy, not hope.

You'll discover:

• Why your LinkedIn profile is keeping you invisible to recruiters (and the 60-second fix that changes everything)
• The "Vampire Audit" that reclaims your time from energy-draining meetings and toxic coworkers
• Word-for-word scripts to shut down your boss's last-minute demands without sounding difficult
• The uncomfortable truth about how you're being judged in the first 7 seconds—and what to do about it
• Why your home life is secretly sabotaging your career moves (and how to fix it this week)

Here's what most career advice gets wrong: They tell you to work harder, be more visible, or "lean in." But you're already exhausted. What you actually need is a system to build leverage while you're still employed—so you negotiate from power, not desperation.

This episode delivers the scripts, the tactics, and the Monday morning checklist that changes your trajectory immediately. No corporate fluff. No motivational platitudes. Just the strategic moves that create real options.

Your job is a contract, not a prison. But only if you do the work to create alternatives.

Ready to stop settling and start leading? Press play.

💬 After listening, drop a comment: Which of the 5 steps are you executing first?
📥 Want the free Salary Negotiation Guide? Subscribe to our YouTube Channel and Comment "SALARY"

Support the show

Instagram: myfriendin_hr
Linkedin: Njsane Courtney
Email: myfriendinhr@gmail.com

Send us a text

Careers don’t stall because you lack talent; they stall because you lack leverage. We zoom straight into the POWER framework—five pillars that turn you from a passenger into the driver of your own path. No fluff, no clichés, just the playbook: personal accountability, options through money, work your network, ever battle ready, and reputation as currency.

We start by dismantling the myth that managers are responsible for your growth. Ownership looks like asking precise feedback, chasing the ugly projects that matter, and building skills without waiting for approval.

From there, we get real about money as a career tool. A walkaway fund gives you breathing room to negotiate, leave toxic roles, and take strategic moves that compound into leadership scope. You don’t need a windfall—just a halt to lifestyle creep, small automatic transfers, and a clear target for six months of expenses.

Networking becomes simple when you treat it as generosity on a schedule: consistent check-ins, thoughtful comments, helpful intros, and showing up when it’s inconvenient. Then we shift to readiness. Quarterly resume refreshes, a clean LinkedIn headline that signals outcomes, and a grab-and-go portfolio keep you sharp when opportunities show up fast. Finally, we get honest about reputation. How you act when things go sideways, how you share credit, and how people feel after working with you determine who speaks your name in the rooms that matter.

By the end, you’ll choose one pillar to focus on for the next 30 days and leave with small, specific actions that build real momentum. If this hit home, share it with a friend who’s stuck, connect with me on LinkedIn at Jassani Courtney for deeper dives on each pillar, and hit subscribe for more straight talk that actually moves your career forward.

Support the show

Instagram: myfriendin_hr
Linkedin: Njsane Courtney
Email: myfriendinhr@gmail.com

Send us a text

Trust isn’t just a buzzword—it’s the hidden currency driving every workplace. When it breaks, the fallout is bigger than missed deadlines or disengaged employees—it fractures culture.

In this episode of My Friend in HR, we rewind the clock to humanity’s earliest tribes and connect ancient leadership lessons to today’s boardrooms, Zoom calls, and corporate cultures. Drawing from Simon Sinek’s insights, Edelman’s Trust Barometer, Harvard Business Review research, and real stories of leaders and employees betrayed by broken promises, we unpack the human side of why trust is collapsing in the modern workplace—and how to rebuild it.

You’ll hear:

• Why ancient tribes chose leaders based on trust, not strength—and what that means for today’s executives.
• The silent betrayals that fracture workplace culture (missed recognition, layoffs handled poorly, and leaders who go quiet when employees need them most).
• How layoffs send psychological shockwaves that destroy productivity and loyalty.
• The science of trust and stress: why oxytocin builds collaboration and cortisol kills it.
• Why perks and bonuses don’t inspire when they’re not matched with purpose.
• What both leaders and employees must do to build a high-trust culture.

This is not another “10 leadership tips” conversation. This is a hard look at the broken social contract between employees and organizations, and how trust—not just money—decides whether your culture thrives or collapses.

👉 If you’re a leader, this will challenge how you think about psychological safety, employee loyalty, and the true cost of layoffs.
👉 If you’re an employee, this will give you language to articulate why culture feels “off” when trust is missing—and what role you play in fixing it.

Because when leaders stop protecting their people, perks stop feeling earned. And when employees stop showing up with reliability and honesty, teams collapse from within.

Listen in, reflect, and let’s rebuild workplaces where trust is more than a slogan—it’s the foundation.

🔗 Want more? Subscribe on YouTube for video versions of this podcast, career tips, and my new series The Mic Drop.
📩 Enter my giveaway: subscribe + comment on YouTube for a chance to win a free Executive Resume Review.
📲 Connect with me on LinkedIn, Instagram, and X for daily HR insights, coaching, and career strategies.

Support the show

Instagram: myfriendin_hr
Linkedin: Njsane Courtney
Email: myfriendinhr@gmail.com

Send us a text

SEASON 2 IS HERE: “You Got Promoted… Now What?”

Let’s get one thing straight: getting promoted is not the finish line—it’s the starting block. And this episode? It’s your leadership wake-up call.

After a few months of silence (life got busy, y’all—but I’ve been cookin’ behind the scenes), My Friend in HR is BACK for Season 2 and we’re coming in HOT with real talk for every new leader, reluctant manager, or “oh crap, now I’m in charge” moment.

In this firestarter of an episode, we’re digging into:
🔥 The messy reality of managing your old work besties
🔥 The politics no one warned you about in your new role
🔥 The culture shifts that’ll humble even the most confident leaders
🔥 And why your first 90 days could make—or break—your leadership brand

This isn’t just advice—it’s a survival strategy.
No fluff. No BS. Just the truth about what it really takes to thrive after the promotion.

Plus, I’m spilling the behind-the-scenes tea on where I’ve been, why HR on the Rocks is your new favorite YouTube series, and why this season of the pod is going to change how you lead—for real.

🎧 Press play, power up, and let’s get into it.
Because leadership isn’t for the faint of heart—and neither is this podcast.

Support the show

Instagram: myfriendin_hr
Linkedin: Njsane Courtney
Email: myfriendinhr@gmail.com

Send us a text

"Feeling uncertain about your career's future? In episode 10, we dive into how you can transform those fears into steps for success in 2025. We'll explore strategies to navigate layoffs, technological changes, and more. Join us to discover how to stay ahead and seize the opportunities of tomorrow. Let's get you ready to conquer your career journey!"

Support the show

Instagram: myfriendin_hr
Linkedin: Njsane Courtney
Email: myfriendinhr@gmail.com

Send us a text

Handling discipline in the workplace requires finesse and fairness. Through illustrative scenarios, I emphasize the importance of accountability, warning against the dangers of favoritism. Hear real-world examples that highlight the need for clarity and proper communication to resolve misunderstandings. Discover how documentation can be a tool for both protection and improvement, ensuring that employees and managers alike act on complete information. This episode promises to be a guide to equip you with the tools to navigate write-ups and improve workplace dynamics.

Support the show

Instagram: myfriendin_hr
Linkedin: Njsane Courtney
Email: myfriendinhr@gmail.com

Send us a text

Ever wondered if transitioning from an hourly role to a salaried position is the right move for you? We break down the essentials, from the financial implications of overtime pay to the stability of a fixed annual salary. Discover the pros and cons of each employment type and gain practical tips for evaluating your personal circumstances and job benefits. Don’t miss this comprehensive guide to making an informed decision about your career path, packed with insights to help you thrive professionally.

Support the show

Instagram: myfriendin_hr
Linkedin: Njsane Courtney
Email: myfriendinhr@gmail.com