Don’t Say No For Someone
As leaders we ask for things. Quite often big things. Maybe it’s a board or supervisors support for a new (and risky) product, a potential customer to commit to your services, a significant donation, a volunteer to serve or a high capacity leader to join your team. Part of leadership is asking for what we need. To move or keep moving forward we have to ask for what may appear to be out of reach. Ask anyway. In addition, when we ask let’s be careful not to say no for the person we are asking. When we ask a high capacity individual to join our team or support our cause we are keenly aware that this person is extremely busy, paid more than we can offer or already supports numerous worthwhile causes. Don’t say no for them. Instead, let’s make our most inviting ask and see what happens. Let’s not frame our ask around all the reasons (“I know you are extremely busy” or “I know you have a good situation at company ABC”) they might say no. Leader’s, let’s be careful not to say no for someone.
As a leader what effective strategies have you used in asking for what you need?
This lesson is one of the most popular lessons I have seen lately. When I have asked for things that are “out of reach,” I will bring any supporting information that shows the positive impacts it could have for the company. I try not to focus on the amount of risk or potential losses but rather on the gains.
Thanks Nathan. Great thought.
How you greet and pay attenion to the other peson makes a big impact in someone’s life. Whether in Business or in your life, attentiveness is key to the other person that is talking or listening.
Thanks Mike.