“I can’t believe they said yes to everything I asked for, Val!”
That’s what an executive told me Friday morning who had just spoke to the CEO of a company who had offered her a new role.
This was an example of the first way you get what you want far faster than you think: Just Ask.
“I laid it out, salary, equity, budget control, executive development support, conferences I wanted to attend and they said yes to every single thing!”
I love hearing leaders talk about the impact of my advice especially when it benefits them personally and professionally. It really is that simple you just ask. Clearly and confidently asking for what you want helps reduce the guessing game and more often than not you get what you ask for.
I’ve just returned from Las Vegas where I took my three daughters to watch Katy Perry perform her last show in her Vegas residency. A year ago, despite high demands for her to launch another world tour she said no, she didn’t want to travel the world. She wanted to be home more to spend time with her new daughter Daisy. Just saying No is the second way you get what you want. If you don’t say no, you don’t leave space for when you can say yes to what you really want. By saying no to a world tour it allowed Katy to be available to fulfill one of her career goals of performing in Vegas. - which she was paid $168million for! Certainly worth saying no. While many might not be able to command that level of reward, it never ceases to amaze me the money executives leave on the table for themselves and their company for failing to get what they want.
The third and final way you get what you want is by asking others if your request is realistic and reasonable. I find in my conversations with executives that too often their requests that they want to make are either overly optimistic or extremely cautious. Having someone who can calibrate expectations, offer comparisons of what is typical in other companies, and reset what you ask for is how you get what you want more often. Whether discussing your strategy with your board, pitching partnership opportunities, or deliberating potential acquisitions, the external barometer of advisors is crucial.
Finally, if you get a chance to see Katy Perry in concert, her performance is magical. It was a full theatrical performance complete with audience participation, personal stories, and fabulous sets.
Dedicated to growing your business,
Val
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