Dear Career Coach,

I would like to take a sabbatical from work to volunteer overseas but I work in a very busy department and I don’t want to be seen as deserting the ship when everyone is working flat out.

Dear Career Coach

I would like to take a sabbatical from work to volunteer overseas for about three months. Although my company has a policy for sabbaticals, I work in a very busy department and I'm worried about asking for the time off. I would really love to take this break but I don't want to be seen as deserting the ship when everyone is working flat out. I'd appreciate your advice.

It's fair to say that a lot of people struggle with negotiating what they want for themselves. Whether it's for a promotion, higher pay or that must-have-but-too-expensive dress, women in particular can find negotiating an uncomfortable experience.

One strategy to overcome this is to role play the situation and to pretend someone else is in your shoes. If you were asked to support someone's application for a sabbatical, what reasons would you give? Which arguments would support the benefit of the break for the employee, the team and, ultimately, the company? What would it give the person going in terms of additional skills or experience that would add value to the department on their return? What opportunities might it give others in the department to take on some temporary projects or responsibilities in the absence of their colleague?

Another factor that can help you to negotiate successfully is to have a supportive network. As your company supports sabbaticals through its policies, you might want to identify someone in your organisation who can champion your cause and who has taken a sabbatical and can confirm its value to him or her as well as to the company.

If you are really dreading having that conversation with your manager, get in some practice beforehand. Anticipate what the arguments might be against you taking the sabbatical and practice how you would respond to them. If you have a colleague or mentor that you can use as a sounding board, ask their advice on how you come across and how you can improve your arguments.

Ultimately you will have to take ownership of your career and do what will help you develop and achieve your professional and personal ambitions. Remember all the good reasons why you want to take this sabbatical and have the courage to speak up for yourself.

All the best!