John Borrowman, CPC
Borrowman Baker, LLC
Gallatin, TN
If you don’t ask, it’s much less likely that you’ll get what you want. It’s really that simple. And yet you hold back. Don’t expect the boss to read your mind.
If you’re a good performer, your boss has every incentive for you to continue to grow and be challenged in your BV career. That doesn’t mean you’ll get anything and everything you want. But, it does mean that there is someone who is ready to listen.
Your first step is to get crystal-clear about what you want. Interview yourself:
What about your work makes you jump out of bed in the morning? What makes you hit the snooze button? If you won the lottery and resigned, what would you miss the most? If you could wave a magic wand, what would be the one thing you would change about your department or team?
Think about who, when, and how you’ll ask.
Someone who has the information you need? A good listener and advice giver? The actual decision maker (your boss)? Should you use email, voicemail, or a face-to-face conversation? What kind of plan can you suggest for monitoring long-term results?
Find the WIIFT.
Before you deliver your request, stop and identify the WIIFT (What’s In It For Them). You’re more likely to get what you want if you show how it benefits the person you’re asking. It has to be a genuine benefit and not merely a “For Your Convenience” excuse that too many businesses use to justify their requests.
It’s always better to improve the situation where you are than to tackle a job change. If you’ve made thoughtful requests only to see them turned down time after time, then you’re in a better position to explain your motivation to a potential employer.
Topics in This Issue
