Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella proved there's no quicker way to rile up a crowd at a women in technology conference than saying females shouldn't ask for raises, but rather rely on some supernatural karmic energy if they want more money.
Unsurprisingly, he spent Thursday night backpedaling.
Here is the gem he originally dropped at the Grace Hopper Celebration of Women in Computing:
It's not really about asking for a raise, but knowing and having faith that the system will give you the right raise. That might be one of the initial superpowers that, quite frankly, women don't ask for a raise have. It's good karma. It will come back.
That system still says women are earning 77 cents to every dollar men make. And it's because of that sad statistic messages like Sheryl Sandberg's "Lean In" exist. In the words of the Facebook COO, "Men still run the world, and I'm not sure that's going so well."
Cue Nadella shoving his foot in his mouth.
The chief executive tweeted an apology, acknowledging he was "inarticulate."
Was inarticulate re how women should ask for raise. Our industry must close gender pay gap so a raise is not needed because of a bias #GHC14
— Satya Nadella (@satyanadella) October 9, 2014
Oh, you think?
According to Nadella, if I hit publish on every story before deadline today, and keep doing that, I'll build up so much good karma that our editor-in-chief will gravitate toward me without even realizing it, sacks of cash in hand.
Oh right, it doesn't work that way. Sure, you have to work for a raise, but you can't wait around for it either. And unfortunately, karma doesn't pay the bills.
In an email to Microsoft employees, Nadella backpedaled a bit further, writing:
All – Today I was interviewed on stage by Maria Klawe at the Grace Hopper Conference – I encourage you to watch the video. It was great to spend time with so many women passionate about technology. I was honored to be a part of it and I left the conference energized and inspired.
Toward the end of the interview, Maria asked me what advice I would offer women who are not comfortable asking for pay raises. I answered that question completely wrong. Without a doubt I wholeheartedly support programs at Microsoft and in the industry that bring more women into technology and close the pay gap. I believe men and women should get equal pay for equal work. And when it comes to career advice on getting a raise when you think it’s deserved, Maria’s advice was the right advice. If you think you deserve a raise, you should just ask.
I said I was looking forward to the Grace Hopper Conference to learn, and I certainly learned a valuable lesson. I look forward to speaking with you at our monthly Q&A next week and am happy to answer any question you have.
Given he has yet to really apologize, just consider"inarticulate" the new "sorry." The next time you accidentally offend someone, say you were "inarticulate" and call it a day.
I dare every female Microsoft employee to test the theory and criticize Nadella's leadership to his face today. If he doesn't like it, respond, "I was inarticulate." That's all you have to say.
Image via Flickr User Bhupinder Nayyar (CC BY 2.0)
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