From the time my daughter was young, I have always said to her ‘if you don’t ask, you don’t get.’ I coach many people who want to do different things at work. Maybe they’d like to work 4 days a week. Maybe they’re interested in exploring how to move into another department. Maybe they’d like the opportunity to get promoted. Maybe they want more money. They’ll talk to me about these wants and why they’re important to them. The problem is, they’re talking about these wants to the wrong person. I can’t make any of them happen. My rule of thumb for asking for things is this: if what you’re asking for is good for you and good for the company, what’s the worst thing that can happen? If your request is super one-sided, then maybe think through how you can present a balanced option. Not presenting any option isn’t going to get you what you want. And talking to your coach about it isn’t going to make it happen either. What do you want that you haven’t asked for yet?
#leadershiptruth
