The Art of Asking: How to Get That Raise or Promotion You Deserve
As the CEO and head career coach at Work It DAILY, I've spent over two decades helping thousands of professionals navigate their career paths. One of the most crucial skills I've taught is the art of asking for what you wantâbe it a raise, a promotion, or any other career goal. Today, I'm going to share with you a simple yet powerful technique that can transform the way you approach these conversations.
The Mindset Shift That Changes Everything
Many people find asking for a raise or promotion intimidating. They go into these conversations tense and nervous, often sabotaging their chances before they even begin. The key to success lies in a simple mindset shift and a change in how you phrase your request.
The Problem with Yes-or-No Questions
Typically, people approach these conversations with closed-ended questions like, "Can I have a raise?" or "Am I eligible for a promotion?" These yes-or-no questions immediately put your manager on the defensive and can shut down the conversation before it even starts.
The Power of Open-Ended Questions
Instead of limiting yourself to yes-or-no scenarios, try using open-ended questions that invite dialogue and collaboration. This approach assumes that you and your manager are on the same team, working together towards your career growth.
Three Powerful Ways to Ask
"Help me understand what it would take for me to earn a raise/promotion of X."
"What would it take for me to be able to earn this raise/promotion at X?"
"How would I be able to achieve X raise/promotion?"
By framing your request this way, you're inviting your manager to partner with you in planning your career advancement. It's an assumptive approach that focuses on the 'how' rather than the 'if'.
Creating a Collaborative Atmosphere
This technique transforms what could be a tense, adversarial conversation into a collaborative planning session. You're no longer putting your manager in a position where they have to say yes or no on the spot. Instead, you're working together to map out a path to your desired outcome.
The Impact of This Approach
Over my years of coaching, I've seen this simple shift in approach yield remarkable results. It takes the pressure off both parties and opens up a constructive dialogue about your value to the company and your career trajectory.
Beyond the Workplace
The beauty of this technique is that it's not limited to career conversations. Learning to ask for what you want effectively is a life skill that can benefit you in all areas of your life.
Your Next Steps
If this technique resonates with you, I encourage you to put it into practice. Start by identifying a goal you have in your current jobâwhether it's a raise, a promotion, or a new project you want to lead. Then, craft your open-ended questions using the examples I've provided.
Remember, becoming skilled at asking for what you want is a process. It might feel uncomfortable at first, but with practice, it will become second nature. The more you use this approach, the more confident and effective you'll become in all areas of your life.
Don't let fear hold you back from reaching your full potential. The worst thing that can happen when you ask is getting a 'no'âbut when you ask the right way, you open up a world of possibilities.
Go get âem!
J.T. OâDonnell
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